So, I ordered a group of 4x6 prints from one of them, by uploading the files to their website. If a store that does this is convenient to you, you can pick them up. If not, they will ship them for a small extra charge.

I ordered mine on a Tuesday, after supper, and they were delivered via regular mail that same Friday. I was impressed. That same store now has a walk-in 1 hour service for the same price.

To test the effect of extra pixels, I sent them the same photo 6 times. The only difference in the photos was the resolution:

- 150 dpi (600 pixels x 900 pixels)

- 200 dpi (800 x 1200)

- 250 dpi (1000 x 1500)

- 300 dpi (1200 x 1800)

- 350 dpi (1400 x 2100)

- 400 dpi (1600 x 2400)

The photo was a picture of a couple I know. One of them had highlights in their hair, and gel had been used, so hair was sticking out somewhat. When I looked very closely at the photos (naked eye only, no magnifiers) at fine details like the hair, I could detect a minor difference between the 150 dpi and the 400 dpi, (actually, there was even a bit of a difference noted between 150 and 200) but if the photos are destined for your photo album, you would never know the difference, in my opinion.

On a 4x6, lets say you go with 200 dpi just to be sure. That is 800 pixels by 1200 pixels. That is about 1 mega pixel. If you go to your local digital camera reseller today, you probably cannot buy a serious camera that is less than 4 or 5 mega pixels. A 4 mega pixel camera gives you about 1600 x 2400, which at 200 dpi lets you print a 8 x 12 print.

Based on my tests, even a 2 mega pixel camera can print a fair quality 8 x 10 print. If you just need 4 x 6 prints, you will get great prints from even a 1 mega pixel. A modern 4 mega pixel camera allows you to crop and still get a great print. Need I remind you that the current pricing is less than I pay for the paper alone.

Do I use my fancy photo quality printer anymore? Not very often.