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Everything you should look for in protective cases for cameras

Written by Fiona

January 08 2025

Whether you’re a professional photographer or an amateur with a passion for capturing memorable moments, you need a robust protective case to house your camera gear. So, what should you bear in mind when shopping for a camera case? Let’s take a look…

Key properties of a reliable camera hard case

While there’s an array of protective cases on the market, not all will be suitable for housing cameras – here are a few essential case properties that you shouldn’t compromise on.

Strength and durability

First and foremost, a reliable and worthy protective camera case must be capable of withstanding drops and heavy impacts that can occur accidentally.

Hard plastic cases constructed from super-strong poly or HDPE materials provide elite levels of protection to delicate electronics like cameras. 

Most models from reputable brands are certified as crush-proof, so you can be sure you won’t open your case to find your beloved camera in pieces.

Plus, a durable case can prevent general wear or scuffs and scratches from happening during airline baggage handling.

Waterproofness

If you plan on spending time in nature snapping wildlife or scenery, you can’t afford to have a camera case that isn’t waterproof.

Without one, your camera could succumb to water damage and cease to function as it should, or at all!

Only a protective case with watertight gaskets and water-repellent surfaces can effectively prevent moisture and water infiltration.

Portability

You need to be able to move your camera or video recording equipment from A to B without any hassle, meaning your next case needs to be fairly lightweight and sleek.

Reduced weight cases such as the Peli Air range are great as camera containers due to their ease of lifting and resistance to damage.

Additionally, to make carrying less strenuous, your plastic case should feature rubber moulded handles for comfortable handling.

Interior

To ensure your next camera hard case can protect your device and its accompanying attachments, you need to select a suitable foam interior. 

Usually, you’ll need to invest in a custom interior to guarantee the cushioned pockets are correctly sized to hold the camera and its accessories, such as:

  • The camera
  • Lenses and lens covers
  • Filters
  • Flash
  • Remote trigger
  • Batteries
  • Tripod
  • Memory or storage cards
  • Camera strap

An experienced protective case retailer will guide you through ordering a bespoke foam insert for your camera set-up.

Aesthetics

Finally, if you take photographs for a living, you probably want to put your best foot forward and look as professional as possible, right?

If this is the case, you should also consider the brand, design and colour of your next protective camera case.

From streamlined and sleek black designs to brighter yellow shades, there are plenty of looks and brands to choose from!

To ensure your new camera case will live up to expectations, shop from an experienced retailer of protective cases who only stocks the most durable products – they can even help you find the best model for your needs.

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