subject: How To Protect Your Digital Camera [print this page] As is the case with most consumer electronic goods, digital cameras have a nasty tendency to develop faults every now and then. The majority of these faults can be prevented by taking a little extra care with your digital camera. Here are some of the biggest hazards to the health of your digital camera, and some tips on how you can prevent them from breaking your camera.
Water
As everybody knows, water and electricity do not mix well. If your camera were to be immersed in water for any length of time, it will more than likely be broken when you take it out. You can prevent this from happening by using wrist or neck straps to ensure that your camera never falls into water, and being careful about where you leave it can also help. However, being immersed in water is not the only threat to the health of your camera that moisture poses. Changes in heat or humidity levels can cause condensation to build up inside the body of the camera, causing no end of problems. These issues can be prevented by placing the digital camera in a sealed bag whenever you are going between rooms that have different levels of heat or humidity, and you can also put silica gel dessicants in your camera bag to absorb the condensation. At the very least, you should be sure to wipe your camera frequently when you are using it in humid conditions.
Salt
The beach can be a great location for a photo shoot, but it can be a hazardous place to take a digital camera. One of the main problems, aside from the chance of sand getting inside your camera, is salt, which is present in the sea spray at the beach. Even in relatively small quantities, salt can cause corrosion inside a camera, which can be very bad news indeed. Wiping your camera regularly and keeping it closed when you are at the beach can prevent this from happening.
Bumps and Drops
Digital cameras, like most consumer electronic goods, do not like being dropped, banged or bumped. While there are cameras available that have shock proof casings, the majority do not and need to be treated accordingly. Always keep your camera in a padded bag or case when not in use, and you have to be extra careful when passing it around. In the event that you do break it beyond repair, you might be able to claim for a replacement under the terms of your home contents insurance policy, so all may not be lost.
