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The Camera Case. Don’t go snapping without it!
If you’ve been given a shiny new camera for Christmas or you’ve finally broken down and bought yourself a new digital camera, then you probably want to keep that camera nice and shiny and protected. So, you’re going to need a good camera case!
The right camera case can not only keep your camera looking like new, but it can keep your camera working well too. Water, dust, grime, and heavy impacts can all be lethal to today’s cameras, especially the digital models, and you need to do everything you can to protect your camera from these dangers.
The most basic, common, and economical camera case is the type made of cloth, usually nylon, a little bit bigger than your camera and usually including an extra pocket or two for extra film, batteries, or memory cards. These cases usually offer something in the way of soft padding, but it usually doesn’t amount to much. Though these cases can make carrying you camera a little easier, you shouldn’t trust them to protect your precious camera from harm.
Most new cameras will come with a basic case but it’s more of a carry case than a protective one. If you pop into your local photography store you will see a whole range of digital camera accessories including a variety of camera cases to choose from.
A best option is the hard-sided soft case. These camera cases look similar to the soft cases but are lined with hard padding and usually have higher quality zippers and attachment points. These cases will do a better job of protecting your camera from impact and from getting crushed among other items in your pack. A hard-sided camera case could mean the difference between a dinged camera case and buying a new camera if you drop your case off of a table or down a staircase.
 The very best camera case is a hard-sided waterproof box. These cases are usually made out of plastic and are lined with a cushy foam lining which can be cut to accommodate your camera, lenses, and accessories. When closed, these boxes are waterproof and will float quite easily. While heavy and bulky, these heavy duty cases are the choice of professional photographers who shoot in challenging environments, and they’ll keep your camera safe from just about anything aside from being thrown from a speeding car or getting dropped out of a plane, and even then I wouldn’t underestimate these camera cases.
Other cases are available, from clear waterproof bags to modular camera and lens storage systems. In the end, buy the best protection for your camera you can afford to purchase and afford to carry around; your camera will thank you for it.
Also, just because you have say a Nikon camera doesn’t mean you have to purchase a Nikon camera case as there are some excellent independent brands available at very competitive prices. My personal favorite is the range of Pelican cases, and although they're not cheap, they will certainly be a great investment for protecting your camera. I also have a couple of very robust Canon camera cases that were included when I purchased some used SLR camera accessories, and my Minolta camera fits into one of them as snug as a glove.
Generally speaking though, the standard cases are not all that good as my wife will vouch. She happened to drop her Sony digital camera onto the footpath one day and the Sony camera case did little to protect it. In fact, she had to get the lens motor fixed at substantial cost to because of the accident.
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