It would be highly sceptical of us to declare out rightly that megapixels don’t matter at all. However, it can be said with a lot of conviction that the megapixel count is just one amongst many features which matter. And even more so, there are other features which are more crucial and must be taken into account while buying a digital camera.

So, what exactly is a megapixel? One pixel actually stands for a PICture ELEment and refers to the number of such units a camera’s sensor can capture when it is exposed to light. A megapixel refers to thousand such pixels. Thus, in very basic terms, a higher megapixel count means that the camera’s sensor can capture more pixels which should translate to a more detailed picture. Based merely on this assumption, one can say that more megapixels equate to a sharper picture. However, this is one of the most popular misconceptions about megapixels.

While studying the megapixel count of a camera, we have to consider that not all pixels are uniform in nature or size. Smaller cameras like the ones installed in phones come with small sensors and thus the pixels are more concentrated in such a camera. A phone camera can boast of a 41 megapixel camera (Nokia has recently released one) but the pixels will remain tiny. On the other hand, a digital camera will always give you better quality photos as compared to a phone camera simply because of the better quality of pixels even if the megapixel count is lower.

DSLR cameras are equipped with huge sensors and top quality lenses, thanks to which they deliver such amazing photos not because of the megapixel count. As a matter of fact, the kind of lens has a huge impact on the camera and should top your list of factors-to-be-considered in a digital camera.

Having said this, pixels are not completely worthless either. They work wonderfully as the very basic standards of judging a camera but again, basic is the key word here. A lot also depends on how and where you are going to use your camera. If you are a professional photographer and want to take poster size shots, megapixels can make a lot of difference. But if you are going to use your camera to click photos for your next Facebook display picture, don’t be fooled by the cameras offering you a higher megapixel count. Our advice-save yourself a couple of hundred dollars. If you have to choose between a 21 megapixel and an 18 megapixel camera, look instead for the quality of the lenses they use. Never judge a camera solely by its pixels

1: Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo

The Xperia Neo is essentially an updated version of Sony Ericsson’s first major Android smartphone, the Xperia X10. It has faster hardware, Sony’s mobile Bravia display technology, and an 8MP Exmor R image sensor (one of the best smartphone cameras on the market).

2: Samsung Galaxy S

Even though the Galaxy S II is currently the reigning champ of smartphones, its launch has dropped the price of the original Galaxy S considerably. And despite its age, the Galaxy S remains rated in the top 10 in our cell phone category, even among the latest and greatest devices.

3: Dell XPS 15

Laptops typically have trouble making the top list, competing with cameras and smartphones for attention, but the XPS 15 is an amazing platform. If you’re in the market for a laptop, definitely check it out.

4: HTC Sensation 4G

The Sensation 4G had its day as top dog up until the Galaxy S II came out. It now sits in the number two spot on our cell phone list. Still, it’s one of the best choices for a smartphone right now. Many consider the HTC Sense User Interface far superior to Samsung’s TouchWiz found on the Galaxy S II.

5: Nikon D7000

As one of the premier digital SLR cameras, even amongst photography professionals, it’s no surprise that the D7000 made our top 10 list. The price is a bit steep for an entry-level photography enthusiast, but it’s an excellent camera.

6: Nikon CoolPix P500

The P500 is the latest of Nikon’s compact super-zoom cameras. Its 36x optical zoom lens is virtually unmatched in the compact digital camera class.

7: Canon EOS Rebel T3i/600D

The T3i is the perfect camera for anyone looking to get into the world of digital SLR. Its balance of affordability, features, and performance makes it suitable for a wide range of uses, from amateur to professional.

8: Sony Ericson Xperia X10 Mini Pro

The Xperia X10 Mini Pro may be a bit aged and certainly more than a little underwhelming in terms of performance, but its price is something you just can’t argue with. It’s one of the best smartphones you can find for under $200 off contract.

9: Nokia C3

While it doesn’t have all of the features you’d find in an Android or iOS device, the Nokia C3 is still a very capable smartphone. To sweeten the deal, you can find it for close to $100, off contract.

10: Nokia N8

The Nokia N8 is coming up on a year old (that’s nearing retirement age in smartphone years), but it remains one of the most powerful and versatile Symbian based smartphones on the market. It has also gotten a lot cheaper than most of the Android devices in its class.

So there it is, the top 10 most popular products on alaTest for the last month, every single one offering something unique that makes it stand out from the rest of the crowd. What are some of your favorite products on alaTest? Feel free to let us know in the comments.

The Need for Change

While Windows Mobile offered a lot of pure functionality, it was very rough and unappealing to the general user. It lacked integrated social features, such as Facebook or Twitter; it didn’t have a quick, streamlined interface; and perhaps most importantly, it didn’t include the app-centric experience that people have begun associating with smartphones. Microsoft knew it was time for a change, and thus Windows Phone 7 was born.

Windows Phone 7 (amicably referred to as WP7) took the typical “Windows Look” associated with Windows Mobile and tossed it aside, creating the new “Metro” UI, which features  widget-like panels for launching services and providing on-the-spot information, all wrapped up in a sleek, smooth experience.

Microsoft has also switched to an App-Driven ecosystem with WP7, much like the model used for Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. Independent third-party developers can create apps for WP7 to be hosted on the Windows Phone Marketplace for end users to purchase and download; however, at just over 27,000 apps, the Windows Phone Marketplace can’t quite compare to either Android’s approximate 420,000 or iOS’s half-million.

What Sets WP7 Apart from the Crowd

With Android and Apple heavily dominating the smartphone market, WP7 has a very steep climb ahead of it, but it still has some redeeming qualities giving it a fair chance. Both Android and iOS take extreme sides with their development model. Android tries to keep a completely “open platform,” allowing anyone to develop and create an Android device. Apple, on the other hand, holds a firmly clenched fist of proprietary reign as the sole manufacturer of iOS devices.

WP7 comes in the middle, using proprietary and uncustomizable software (ala Apple’s iOS) and licensing it to a multitude of manufacturers to create new devices (ala Android). The approach will allow for a secure operating system with uniform and timely updates (something Android has trouble with) while keeping devices fresh and competitive (something Apple is currently struggling with).

In the end, WP7 is yet another player volleying for a share in the general user smartphone market, but unlike its competitors, it comes from enterprise based roots, which some argue hurts general appeal, but bolsters professional functionality. The HTC HD7 and Samsung Omnia 7 are both already off to a fairly strong start, and top smartphone manufacturer Nokia should be entering the mix soon.