No matter how good your digital camera is, it doesn't do you any good if you left it at home. That's why I'm a big fan of ultracompact cameras, either as a second camera or even as your primary one. And the quality of these cameras just keep getting better and better. I went digging around and found some very good deals on these little picture makers:

• Staples has been having a Digital Camera Event and has the tiny 6 megapixel Casio Exilim EX-S600 in orange for $297 and the silver model for $307. And with almost all the cameras in the sale, they're throwing in an Epson CX3810 all-in-one printer. SlickDeals has a link to a printable $20 off $100 in-store coupon that you may be able to use. The EX-S600 is an update to the five megapixel Casio EX-S500 that I carry with me wherever I go. Casio has done a terrific job with its user interface and the cameras are just as adept at taking videos as they are with still picture.
  
• Amazon has the 5 megapixel Kodak EasyShare V550 for only $229 including the funky-looking Photo Frame Dock 2. Terry Sullivan gave this camera four stars out of five recently.
  
• I've mentioned in the past that when the planets are in alignment, Dell has some of the best deals on digital cameras. Today is such a day. By combining a 20% off coupon with a $35 off coupon, SlickDeals has managed to get the price on the Canon PowerShot SD550, a PC Magazine Editors' Choice, down to $284. I couldn't get the coupon to work, but even without, the $319 after 20% off is the best price on a new SD550 that I've seen. Any better prices that I found were on a refurbed unit.

One day cell phone cameras may obviate ultracompacts, but that day is not today.