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[cherrykasper]

Quality of images and prints relies heavily on numberous factors, not just one. I have a Nikon D50, which is a 6mp DSLR. I am in a photo class in which the check out cameras are 8mp. I have used the Canon Digital Rebel XT (the check out camera) a time or two, and along side about half the class who uses them, the pictures show little difference, in terms of clarity due to megapixels. 8mp is the "magic number" in terms of professional cameras, but I'd take a great 6mp camera over a moderate 10mp camera anyday.

I can say that under the same circumstances, Canons tend to sharper, but have more noise, and Nikons tend to be slightly less sharp, with much less noise.

Quality of the lens on a DSLR is probably your most important factor. There are $150 lenses and $500 lenses that have the same range, but the components of the higher end lenses will defiantely show.

Printers will greatly affect your print quality, but if you don't have the image first, it doesn't really matter.

And lastly, the photographer matters. There is a student in the class that has a 10+mp DSLR who hasn't quite grasped the technical aspects yet. While this student takes very nice images compositionally, without being able to control the technical aspects, it doesn't show through as well.

I hope this helps!

If you haven't already, I'd recommend snooping around dpreview.com. I looked on that site on and off for nearly a year before deciding on a camera. They are a great resource.