Point and Shoot Camera Megapixels?

[brentacles]

Hello. I'm relatively new to the world of photography. I have a question. If I lower the mega-pixel setting on my Canon SX210IS will my shots have less noise, be sharper, etc.. I generally shoot at the full 14MP, and it takes fantastic photographs, but I was wondering if I lowered down to 10MP would the shots be any different (aside from lower mega-pixel)?

[Doug Pardee]

They'll have less resolution and will be smaller. Sharpness will be reduced due to the lower resolution. Noise will be the same at any given print or screen size.

[DelCan]

Shoot the highest possible. If it's something you know you are going to use on the internet (facebook, ebay, etc) smaller files work. Shorter download times also.

[OsmosisStudios]

The camera is still using all the pixel receptors on the sensor (ie all 14mp) to take the shot, it's just downsizing them down to save to the card. You're throwing away information.

[brentacles]

Thank you everyone for your answers, much appreciated. I figured that camera always captured at full sensor resolution no matter what, but wasn't sure. It seems I came to the right place to get my answer.

Thanks again!!