Megapixels are big. Higher pixel counts can generate JPEG images that are several megabytes in size. In addition to slowing things down, these larger files will eat up on-camera storage space quickly. The larger files can also eat up hard disk space on your PC over time. In general, larger file sizes can motivate you to take fewer shots, which reduces your chances of capturing better pictures.

Don't get me wrong: High-pixel-count cameras aren't bad for everyone. Professional photographers and advanced amateurs have the skills and knowledge to intelligently buy and use these cameras. Even for amateurs, higher pixel counts admittedly give you more flexibility in cropping, which can improve quality.

However, the reason I argue against maximum megapixels is that other factors, not a lack of pixels, are much more likely to wreck your pictures. Here are a few things that can cause bad pictures:

Bad lighting. One common mistake is to habitually use a flash when it's dark. This gives people captured in pictures that deer-in-the-headlights look and makes the background vanish into darkness. A related mistake is to never use the flash in bright sunshine, which results in dark shadows that can ruin the shot.

A good digital camera will feature options and presets that fix lighting errors. Night shots, for example, are often improved by presets that both use the flash and provide a long exposure, which illuminates both subject and background. And you should be able to very quickly force the flash to operate in bright light while still using the automated settings.