Richard, who continues to be one of web typography’s biggest assets, has an ALA article that’s all about sizing type. He evaluates many different ways of sizing type, demonstrating the results of each across several browsers (including when text is resized by users). He ultimately concludes than an em-based approach is best. I would agree with this completely. He also notes in his addendum that the math needed to use this approach can get complicated, especially with deeply-nested elements.
In the typography workshop I’ve done a few times now, I’ve come to much the same conclusion. If you want the absolute best, most ideal way to size type, using ems is the way to go — but it will take you more time and patience, because of the math. Sizing with pixels is definitely easier, but also definitely not as ideal. You’ll have to evaluate the trade-offs and decide what’s appropriate for a given project.
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