Whether a professional or an amateur photographer, a camera hard case is a one-time, long-term investment. You may need to carry the expensive camera while hiking or camping, and you certainly don’t want to damage it while traveling.
The following guide presents the best camera cases to protect your camera bodies and their lenses.
Traveling with an expensive camera and lens is a stressful experience, as you always have to be cautious. The good news is that a sturdy camera hard case saves you from worrying about the camera.
Our Selection Process
Selecting the best camera hard case can be daunting, especially when the market is full of low-priced to premium camera cases.
One of the most significant advantages of buying a camera hard case is the ultimate protection and security offered to all your camera gear.
A hard case is usually made of robust polyurethane, which is lightweight, affordable, and can withstand scratches. For instance, your camera will remain safe even if an external force of 100 kg hits the case, which is phenomenal.
Another feature considered in our selection criteria is portability and lightweight. It’s no point investing in a large-sized heavyweight case that requires two people to carry it.
A good-quality camera hard case comes with all the foam inserts, padded dividers, and pouches to keep the camera and associated gears organized, safe, and secure in place.
Waterproofing is an essential feature on which photographers don’t compromise. The following list features the best weatherproof camera hard case, ideal for adventurer photographers.
Monoprice Weatherproof Hard Case
Why You Should Buy It
If you want to buy a camera hard case that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg, the Monoprice Weatherproof Hard Case is perfect.
One of the most significant advantages of buying this sturdy hard case is its weatherproofing capability. If, by any chance, you drop the bag in a river while hiking, your camera will remain protected. It’s because the hard case is waterproof for up to one meter depth for a good 30 minutes, which will be a relief for photographers!
Besides water protection, the Monoprice camera case offers complete protection against harmful ultraviolet radiations, dust, and dirt particles.
In addition, the rubber-covered carrying handle provides the desired grip, so you don’t have to worry about slipping.
This weatherproof hard case has a robust polyethylene exterior featuring a single-piece construction and consistent thickness. It’s a lightweight yet tough hard case that is crushproof and rustproof.
What to Look Out For
The Monoprice Weatherproof Hard Case comes in four colors, including a bright orange-colored case, and features a shockproof outer shell that complies with the highest safety protection standards.
The IP67 rating guarantees superior protection against dust particles from damaging the camera lens.
On the downside, the hard case doesn’t come with any carrying pouch or dividers. Nonetheless, the customizable foam interior secures the camera in position thanks to the two layers of two inches of thickness.
Vault by Pelican v525 Case
Why You Should Buy It
If you don’t want to compromise on the durability of the camera hard case, the Vault by Pelican v525 Case is an apt choice.
Thanks to the cushioned padded dividers, you can secure the photo gear and other photography equipment in their respective places. Hence, thanks to the velcro brand fasteners, you don’t have to worry about camera accessories displacement while tracking difficult terrains.
As the name suggests, it’s a secure vault for the cameras featuring a premium-quality polymer exterior that guarantees protection from external impacts and shocks.
It’s a weather-resistant hard case that doesn’t allow dust or dirt participles to penetrate through the sides. Also, the case is perfectly sealed against moisture to keep the camera bodies dry during rain and harsh weather conditions.
What to Look Out For
If you want to buy a multi-purpose camera hard case, the Vault by Pelican v525 case allows you to carry a camera, electronics, gear, drone, and other gear.
It’s an allrounder hard case featuring a heavy-duty handle with a firm grip, stainless steel hasps, and push button latches. It also comes in four different colors.
On the downside, the camera case is relatively heavyweight, with 11.5 pounds, including the padded dividers.
Nonetheless, you can keep all the photography gears in one place and tow the case using the two wheels instead of carrying it using the handles.
Eylar Standard Case
Why You Should Buy It
If you want to buy a reliable yet lightweight camera hard case, the Eylar Standard Case won’t disappoint you. With a weight of only 5.6 pounds, the bag comprises three interior foam layers to secure the camera equipment.
The three foam interior layers consist of one solid layer, one pull-and-pluck customizable layer, and the third egg-crate top liner layer. Thanks to the rubber gasket that lines the case rim to secure the camera from dust particles.
One of the most significant advantages of buying the Eylar Standard Case is the availability of the advanced automatic pressure equalization valve. Hence you don’t have to worry about the air pressure building inside the hard case while climbing at higher altitudes.
It’s a premium-quality camera hard case offering a lifetime warranty, thus ensuring a long-term and safe investment.
What to Look Out For
The Eylar Standard Case is an allrounder IP67 crushproof, shockproof, and fully waterproof hard case to secure your full-frame DSLR camera gear. Other features include ¼ inches of padlock hasps to secure the padlocks while transporting the hard case.
On the downside, some people find it difficult to open the case since the padlocks can be stiff initially. Nonetheless, you’ll find it easy to lock and unlock after a couple of tries.
Durabox Travel Hard Case
Why You Should Buy It
As the name suggests, the Durabox Travel Hard Case is one of the most durable and crushproof camera cases. The interior contains foam padding to keep the camera equipment secure and organized.
The shockproof exterior's primary objective is to efficiently absorb external impact while protecting the internal camera gear.
Moreover, it’s one of the most secure bags, as the latches don’t slide or come off. Instead, it has padlocks that secure the camera inside the bag.
Being a completely watertight and splash-proof bag, it can submerge in water under five feet and won’t let the water seep inside, which can destroy the camera equipment.
Finally, there is a manual pressure equalization valve that you can open and close while hiking on hilly terrains in higher altitudes. Also, you should know that the bag comes with a manual pressure valve, not an automatic one.
What to Look Out For
The Durabox Travel Hard Case is a compact camera case that you can conveniently carry while hiking on rocky terrain. Mind that it’s a small hard case (bigger case options are available); hence, it can carry only a single camera and not any other gear or lens.
However, one plus of carrying a small hard case is portability, as the bag weighs only two pounds.
Best Camera Case FAQs
You must be excited to get the camera hard case for your next outdoor adventure. All you need to do is to evaluate your requirements, such as the camera size and the total number of lenses to carry.
Once you have the information, you can choose any of the best camera cases from the above list.
What Camera Hard Case Should I Buy?
Selecting between the camera hard case depends on your buying preference. For instance, the Monorpice Weatherproof hard case qualifies as the best candidate if you are on a budget. It features sturdy polypropylene and glass fiber to protect the camera.
On the other hand, if you have several camera gears, you can buy the Vault by Pelican with padded dividers and velcro brand fasteners.
You can buy the waterproof Eylar Standard hard case featuring three layers of foam interior to keep the camera secure.
Finally, if you prefer to carry your camera only, you can buy the compact Durabox Travel hard case.
How to Buy the Right Camera Hard Case?
It’s a tricky question, and it depends on the size of your camera and the total number of lenses and other gears. If you have a bigger camera, it’s best to buy a large-sized camera hard case with a handle and smooth rolling wheels.
While buying the right camera hard case, you must look for the features such as durability, portability, inserts, pouches, weatherproofing, and pressure equalization.
For instance, the automatic pressure equalization valve comprises a membrane that opens and closes to permit the airflow to maintain optimal pressure inside.
Is Hard Case or Camera Bag Better?
The answer depends on your traveling requirements and the type of camera you carry.
If you are a natural or wildlife photographer with expensive gear, it’s best to invest in a hard case. On the contrary, if you don’t hike rocky terrain or travel occasionally, you can invest in a sturdy camera bag.
However, you should know that a camera bag doesn’t offer as much protection and security as a hard case in case of an accidental fall. On the other hand, carrying a hard case with heavy camera gears inside can be difficult.
Final Thoughts On Best Camera Hard Case
Professional cameras and their lenses are expensive gears that require caution and care. Even a single scrape or accidental drop can damage the lens or the camera rendering it useless.
That’s why you must invest in a good-quality camera hard case to keep camera gear safe while traveling.
Whichever best camera hard case you select from the above list, you won’t possibly go wrong in your decision.
