Which is best digicam in 6 mexapixel range?

I am looking for a 6megapixel camera or say best digital camera upto $225. I am not a professional and will use it for taking family pictures and outings. I am not sure which digicam to go for. My friend is having Canon A 540 and I am pretty disappointed as some pictures come grainy and dark.
I want a digicam that can provide me sharp and clear pictures.

The Canon A540 is an excellent camera. I have the older model, the A520, and it works fine. Plus there is a new camera out, the Canon A550. I've never had dark OR grainy photos.

Shoot, I blew up a 4MP photo to 11x14, and it sold in an art show; no pixels visible.

Be sure that Canon's a good choice for cameras under 225 bucks... but it's not the only one.
Canon is the most popular brand.... but that doesn't mean "best".
There are two nice cameras from Nikon: the L1 and L5... both being affordable, 5x optical zoom, 6 and 7 mp, and really nice pictures (my best friend has the L5, which takes really great pics).
If not... you may love the Panasonic LZ serie... affordable, nice cameras.

I'd recomend Panasonic, but they are bigger cameras (not pocket size)... but Nikon are... and they are really nice.
It just depend on what you need, and would like.
Hope to be helpful,
Alan.


Note: I've only said x5 optical zoom cameras, because with the common 3x at least in my case, is not enough.

Sunil,

I've seen no problems with the Canon's, but if you want something different, you might try the Panasonic FX01. It is highlighted by our editors as the "Best Camera Under $250." The 1600 ISO setting should reduce the darkness of the shots, but might increase the graininess. You can get free photo-editing software online that has "noise reduction" functions that will get rid of that though. I hope this helps.

Andrew

What I am looking for is a camera that without any much of involvement provides good pictures. The responses above have mixed ratings when i searched on web.
I donot want to get involved in changing settings when taking pictures. So, I am looking for a digicam that can provide me with this facility (clear and crisp pics) under $250. Some good digicams have viewfinder and some have don't . I want viewfinder as it helps in saving battery. Hope I have made my requirement more clear.

All of the Canon Powershots have both AUTOMATIC and MANUAL settings. So if you happen to like the Powershot line, you could just leave it on AUTO and forget about it.

On the other hand, if you want an AUTOMATIC camera with limited manual control, then the Canon Elphs would work too.

The truth of the matter is, ANY BRAND-NAME DIGITAL CAMERA WITH AT LEAST 4MP IS GOING TO PROVIDE CLEAR AND CRISP PICTURES.* This is NOT 1999!!!

* And many of these are WAY under your $250 price point.

Thanks Richio for your reponses to my awkward question . Like I said in start that I have seen Canon A540 performance. When a shot is taken in Auto mode, pictures come dark. I have wheatish complexion and I come very dark even if picture is taken in daylight. I cannot remember each and evry setting for a particular time of day.
So, my worry is that after spending $200, I should atleast be able to see 95% of what I am in my snaps. Given the reviews on web for different digicams and like u said any 4MP camera will give sharp pics, I am looking for atleast perfect digicam.
Thanks again for your response.

Thanks all for your responses.