So lets get started with some vocabulary drills. Pixel - A small shiny thing that makes up you pictures. Mega Pixel - A million pixels. The generalization is the more pixels, the better the print quality of your picture. A little real world advice here.
Pixels are a selling feature.
Far be it from Zurg to suggest that bigger isn't always better but you should consider what your picture taking needs are. Say, like Zurg, you have a shoe fetish and take pictures of funky feet for your web page. Say you are Mrs. Zurg and like to hang a lot of 8 by 10 blow ups of the little Buzzes running around on vacation. You will need enough pixels to make a nice big print. 8x10 1600x1200 1.92 Optical Zoom - A zoom lens that moves to make you appear to be closer or farther from your subject.