After a notebook and a cell phone, a digital camera is the most important gadget you can take school. (After all, those embarrassing party photos plastered on Facebook and MySpace don't shoot themselves.) Because you probably don't need a high-end SLR, your best bet is a durable, easy-to-use, and affordable digicam. You'll want one that snaps quick, high-resolution photos and offers a generous amount of photo-manipulation options without bogging you down with complicated features.

 

Here, we've lassoed five of our favorite budget cameras--from a sturdy $129 shooter perfect for snapshots, to an innovative $349 SLR replacement. Regardless of their price tags, all of the cameras in this roundup have resolutions of six megapixels or higher, LCDs larger than two inches, and 3X optical zooms or more. Many of the models include red-eye reduction, selected scene modes, and, in some cases, adjustable ISO. One camera even lets you shoot with a built-in wide-angle lens, a useful addition to your arsenal if you plan to enroll in a photography course or develop your artistic side.

 

Whether back-to-school means lockers and prom or lectures and dorms, these cameras will snap photos around campus without snapping up your summer savings.