What is the best compact digital camera that I can carry around with me all the time in my pocket / backpack?

I would like to use it for school and also take random pictures of my daily life. I want something really light and small and also durable. I also prefer the one that use SD memory card if possible. Thanks!

I would like to highly recommend the purchase of a Nikon Coolpix L10 for the following reasons:

1. Besides taking well-exposed hi-quality 5 megapixel pictures, it uses a standard set of rechargeable double AA batteries which last a very long time;
2. Has a 3x optical zoom;
3. The flash setting for "red-eye" correction is on the navigator wheel and not within a submenu;
4. It's very small and light;
5. Uses inexpensive SD memory cards;
6. The digital video feature takes wonderful "sound" videos which are noise free. It records the piano very well with it's built-in microphone;
7. And the price is a mere $120 [sold at Samy's Camera, Staples.com.]

Sony Ericsson K800i or like camera phones with at least 3.6 Megapixels. Perfect image quality combined with phone features that you normally carry around anyways.

I used to have the same problem of not carrying a camera when I really needed one, but ever since, the camera's always been with me since I always have my phone around.

Nothing is really meant for that kind of use, but maybe the new Olympus Stylus SW 725 would hold up. Unfortunately (for your request), it uses xD memory cards instead of SD. They don't really cost any different from the SD cards, but I assume you must have a few around... From the B&H Photo site, where the camera sells for $330:

"The Stylus 770 SW is designed to go just about anywhere. It is shock-resistant to withstand a drop of up to 5' (MIL-STD-810F Drop Test Compliant), it is waterproof up to 33' without a case (JIS Class 8), it is winterized to perform at below-freezing temperatures (-10掳C/14掳F), and it is crush-resistant with the ability to withstand up to 220 pounds-force. "

B&H Photo is available through a link at Yahoo! Shopping, www.bhphoto.com or at 1-800-622-4987. See also http://www.resellerratings.com/store/B_H...

The camera is obviously available from several other sources, if you care to look.

Check out the Canon Digital ELPH series, the ones with model numbers SDnnn. My wife has one of these and loves it. Not only is the camera itself small enough to carry in her purse, the battery charger is, too. The charger is not much larger than the battery, in fact. And they use SD cards.

The new Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ2 & DMC-TZ3 are tops on my list. I purchased the TZ3 one month ago when it was first released. The TZ3 has an 11-element LEICA lens and 10x Optical zoom at 7.2mp. The HUGE 3" screen is nearly as big as this very small camera. Best of all? It fits easily into a jacket pocket or even pants pocket. It's an amazing new camera. Downside? The TZ3 is a bit pricey, but worth every cent: I paid $299US online at JR Camera. Canadian price (list) $529 CDN at London Drugs. The TZ2 is less expensive and shares most of the features. There is also a lower-priced lumix that you can drop, use under water and it fits in a big shirt pocket. Check these cameras out.

If you specifically want a camera for your backpack and not necessarily your pocket then you won't need a subcompact camera. I'm sure there's probably a hundred to choose from. Consider Canon and Sony models. I myself carry a digital camera and a 35mm camera in a backpack with a towel wrapped around each just for abrupt knocks.

my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions

Go here: www.dpreview.com.