Would I be able to take my digital camera as part of my carry on bag?

Ok, so I have a camera case for my Nikon D5000.It's about the size of 2 1/2 of those cube sized tissue boxes.
I will be taking a plane to Minnesota this December for my cousins wedding. And I wanna take my camera with me since it'll be all snowy!
Also, early in the summer of 2011, I'll be taking a trip to Switzerland for a week. I wanted to take my camera than also.
My question is, am I able to take my camera as a carry on? Because I have like a backpack with my laptop and books in it, but I want to take my camera with me also. I don't want to put it under the plane with the regular luggage because it's a $1k camera and I have a $250 lens in the bag also. Could I just put it in my lap?

I think you can put your bag with laptop and books under your seat and the camera bag above in the compartments… It shouldn't get damaged up there if you make sure it fits nicely. Also some airlines tell you the limit on size and what size compartments they have.

One camera will not be a problem, some countries have some restrictions as to how many cameras a person can bring in to the country but 1 carry on camera is not a problem

I have the same camera, so I've been there on my flights recently. I know there's a difference from domestic and international flights, but I was only international. My understanding is that you're allowed one carry on and a personal bag. This personal bag can be a purse or laptop bag, plus whatever carry on. I did not have trouble with this although my friend did not get away with her backpack and duffel bag (but regulation says it's technically allowed). I kept my camera in my duffel, and my computer in the backpack, and that worked out ok for me.

You should be able to get away with it, but it depends on who checks you in when you get there (some people just won't allow anything). I would bring it with me unless they decide otherwise. If anything, you could call the airline or check online for their baggage/carry on details.

Yeah you can,
when going thew the detector thing you take it out and either put it in a diffrent bucket, or just on top of your bag

i have brought digital cameras that are small and larger video cameras on planes
i live in minnesota btw so they are for sure okay with it, and i have done that to other countrys (mexico)
and i brought the bigger video camera from minnesota to hawaii, and back

they will make you put it under the seat in front of you or up above you, your choice
if you put it under you you can keep a better closer eye on it if you want

Yes.

The rule for carry on bag sizes for almost all airlines is that the sum of the length, height and width can't exceed 45in. Camera bags should be well within the size limit, you can bring your backpack as your carry on and put it in the overhead bin and bring your camera bag as your personal item and put it under the seat in front of you. You will not be allowed to have it in your lap during takeoff or landing but if you are super protective of it you can put it in your lap during the flight.