The need to develop a compact mobile high-resolution digital microscope for the research is substantiated. Disadvantages of modern mobile digital microscopes designs are considered. The requirements for providing the necessary characteristics in a compact microscope in terms of resolution, image contrast and size are determined. The design of the low-cost compact mobile digital microscope is developed and assembled. The construction weight with micro-objectives, lightning system and power battery is less than 2 kg. In a disassembled state all components are placed in a case the size of 35×10×15 cm. The condition to ensure necessary magnification is introduced. According to this condition, various parameters of the microscope are evaluated and compared with laboratory microscopes parameters. The results of studies of different objects are presented with the resolution from 2 μm to 90 nm and magnification up to 1250x.