Cameras and lens are very expensive; they need a good case to protect them from scratches and bumps. That is where the hard camera cases come into play. Hard camera cases protect your camera equipment from water, dust, and even from the theft. Camera cases are very sturdy and strong and some also have the wheel to carry them effortlessly. In this comprehensive guide, we will review some of the market’s best hard camera cases worth buying. This is after spending countless hours researching and distilling the best from the rest.
Best Pick – Pelican 1200 Case
Heavy Duty, Compact & Very Reliable
Want a hard case for carrying your camera and never having to worry about it getting damaged or wet? The Pelican 1200 hard case is the answer that you have always wanted. It has been perfected in all aspects and is sure to deliver to your expectations. Organizing items and accessories is pretty easy too, thanks to the interior Pick N’Pluck foam. And just as much as you would expect to fork a lot, it amazingly comes at an affordable price. Simply put, it is all you need to keep your camera safe when carrying it.
Best Hard Camera Cases in 2021
To help you get the best case for your camera equipment, we have listed the top 10 best hard camera cases in 2018 and buying guide. Read below.
9. Royal Case Condition 1 #179 Hard camera Cases
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Lock holes, Customizable interior foam, Opening & closing latches.
Dimensions: 16 x 6.8 x 13 Inches & weighs about 6 pounds.
If you want a robust camera case, then you should get the Royal #179 hard camera cases. This camera made from solid polypropylene copolymer. This is a very strong material to ensure a crust resistant protection to your cameras and lens. The case has a tounge –in-groove and o-real seal design which provide a watertight and airtight seal to protect your camera and lens against water, fungus, UV, corrosion, and dust. The case also has spring loaded latch system which allows easy closing and opening.
It is an above-average hard case that has beaten many to make it to our list of the best hard camera cases. It is of good quality, sturdy and lives up to its advertised promise.
Pros and Cons
- It has a sturdy and durable construction.
- It keeps items watertight and airtight.
- The hard case loses its airtight properties after some usage.
8. Zeikos ZE-HC36 Deluxe Medium Hard Shell Case
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Hard shell case, Extra interior padding foam, Locking clasps.
Dimensions: 18.78 x 14.8 x 7.2 inches.
Zeikos might sound new to some people, but has been around for some time, and the quality of their products is outstanding. The hard case comes with a solid shell that is very durable and meant to withstand being dropped. The interior foam padding ensures that the camera or other items being carried remain intact and undamaged.
There are toggle latches and locking clasps which ensures that the case doesn’t open easily even when accidentally dropped. It is a good quality hard case that has been designed to be solid and can be used on multiple occasions where one needs to carry or store their valuable items such as DSLR camera, projector, and much more.
Pros and Cons
- It is easy to organize items inside.
- Can be used to carry different items.
- It is not watertight and waterproof.
7. HUL Large Water Proof Military Style Hard Case
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Pick n’Pluck foam, pressure equalization valve.
Dimensions: 16.5 x 11.0 x 6.0 inches & weighs 7 lbs.
HUL hard case is a military grade camera carrying case that is large in size and designed to survive hardship. It is made with a hard shell and with a unique pressure equalization valve, one can easily have their equipment airtight sealed for increased protection. The Pick n’Pluck foam on the inside allows one to easily organize their equipment and accessorizes for easy access.
If you know much about camera hard cases, then this is a clone of the infamous Pelican 1500. It comes with pretty much everything one would need to keep their DSLR camera and other accessories safe and watertight.
Pros and Cons
- It has a heavy duty shell that makes it durable.
- It is airtight and watertight making the content safe even in harsh weathers.
- The latches aren’t very sturdy.
6. Monoprice Weatherproof/Shockproof Hard Case
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Customizable foam, gradual pressure equalization.
Dimensions: 11.3 x 10 x 8 inches & weighs about 2 pounds.
Monoprice has a good reputation in making hard cases that survive extreme hardship and last long. This is one of their best selling units and with its high attention to detail, it is a good quality hard case that delivers. There are multiple sizes to choose from which gives users the opportunity to pick one that best suits their needs. so, regardless of the size of your DSLR and the accessories that comes with it, you can get a Monoprice hard case that fits them all.
The impact resistance, Gradual pressure equalization and customizable interior of this hard case makes it incredible and up to task. It can also be used for other different purposes like carrying your guns to the range, thanks to its versatility.
Pros and Cons
- It is very sturdy and durable.
- It is versatile and its interior can be easily customized.
- Improving the latches could make the case even more quality and durable.
5. Smatree GA7003 Hard Camera Case
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Double casing, Heavy duty ABS construction, Customizable foam.
Dimensions: 11 x 9.7 x 6.1 inches & weighs 3.6 pounds.
This is another great hard camera case with double-layer Case. The interior measures 1.02 X 6.14×9.6 inches and it customizable in many ways. This case is water waterproof and airtight and will protect your camera equipment against dust, water, corrosion, UV, and fungus. It stays unaffected by extremes change in temperature, pressure, and altitude.
The hard case comes with a flexible and soft foam that protect your accessories and cameras from scuffing. It is a good quality hard case that goes above and beyond to give users optimum safety for their camera and other accesories. It offers good value for every penny spent.
Pros and Cons
- The interior is easy to customize making it ideal for multiple usage.
- It is durable, thanks to its heavy duty shell and double walls.
- Some people feel that there are cheaper options that can replace this unit.
4. Seahorse SE-300F Protective Case
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Watertight, Airtight, Accufoam foam.
Dimensions: 11.2 x 10.8 x 5.5 inches & weighs 2.76 pounds.
The Seahorse SE-300F is a heavy duty and compact case that can be used for carrying a number of delicate items and accessories. It’s shell is hard enough to withstand being dropped from a higher level. The interior of the case can be easily customized, thanks to the foam on the inside which also offers extra protection to the items being carried.
Anyone looking for an inexpensive option that they can get to use for carrying their cameras, tools and accessories and get the safety assurance should consider getting this one. Despite the fact that some people might feel that it is too small, it is still a good option to consider.
Pros and Cons
- It is small, compact and easy to carry.
- The interior can be easily customized.
- Would be better if there were multiple sizes to choose from.
3. AmazonBasics Medium Hard Camera Case
Price: Highly priced.
Special features: Dual locking holes, Customizable interior, Airtight and watertight seal
Dimensions: 17.6 x 13.7 x 6.3 inches & weighs 5.2 pounds.
Keep your valuable camera equipment safely stored and well protected with the AmazonBasics medium hard camera case. The camera case is made from a high-quality shell that can easily handle knock, drops, and bumps without damaging your camera. This camera has a watertight and airtight seal to keep water out and keep the camera safe and dry. It also has a comfortable handle to make it easy to carry.
Despite the wallet-wilting price tag that the hard case comes with, the quality and versatility yuo get is totally worth it. Very few others would come close to the quality and reliability that you get with this heavy duty hard case.
Pros and Cons
- It has a comfortable handle that makes carrying it very easy.
- It is airtight and watertight which ensures better safety of items inside.
- The hard case is pricey.
2. Vestil CASE-1814 Rugged Textured Carrying Case
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Rounded corners, Removable panel, Multiple Storage pouches, Removable shoulder straps.
Dimensions: 14 x 18 x 6 inches & weighs 8 pounds.
Vestil is yet another great brand that has been around for quite some time. This hard case has been ingeniously crafted to make it solid and durable while still giving users the much needed protection to safeguard all the items they are carrying. The interior of the case features a removable panel, multiple storage pouches, segmented walls and adjustable panels that lets one carry and organize multiple items.
The latches are lockable and comes with 2 keys. It has shoulder straps that are removable which lets one easily carry the case with ease even when fully pack. It is a good quality multi-purpose hard case that is inexpensive yet very reliable.
Pros and Cons
- It has a versatile interior that is easy to organize.
- It is sturdy and durable.
- The lock isn’t the best one can get.
1. Pelican 1200 Hard camera Cases
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Customizable foam, Strong handles & hinges, Interior padding, Heavy duty shell.
Dimensions: 10.6 x 4.9 x 9.7 inches & weighs 2.8 pounds.
Pelican 12000ranks as the best hard camera case in the market, and the countless user reviews across multiple platforms says it all. Measuring 9.25 x 4.12 x 7.12 inches, this camera case is large enough to accommodate your camera, rechargeable battery, lens, light meter, and lens. The Pelican 12000 hard camera case is made of high-quality copolymer polypropylene material which is very strong and is also light, so you can easily carry the case.
The camera case features an automatic pressure equalization valve, which helps release the built-up air pressure to keep water out, so your camera and other accessories will remain dry and safe. The handles and hinges are made of stainless steel material that is very strong and won’t easily break.
Pros and Cons
- Comes with a high customer satisfaction rating.
- It is sturdy and very durable.
- The interior is easy to customize hence very versatile.
- Not a dealbreaker but few people wish there were different size options to choose from.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Hard Camera Case
Buying a camera case is not as easy as buying a phone case where you just need to choose the design and color. The following are some of the factors you need to consider before choosing a camera case. These factors include:
Size
Determining the best case for your camera is the first priority. If you don’t get the exact ideas for the dimension of the hard case listed in this article you can check the official Amazon site and check where they have provided a chart size chart there. You need also to consider the number of camera and accessories you need to carry so that you easily can pick the best size.
Handle and Wheel
They are many hard camera cases that don’t come with a wheel. Depending on the purpose of the camera case, you may or not need the case with wheels. The cases with the wheel are a bit expensive. For example, if you usually travel mostly in a car, you don’t need to choose a case with wheels but if you travel by public transport like rail or plane, the camera cases with the wheel are a must so that you can easily carry the camera case comfortably.
Protection
It is very common for all hard camera cases to be airtight and even waterproof. But what you need to consider is whether the camera case is pressure and temperature resistant or not if you need the best case. You know lens and cameras are made from fragile materials and the pressure and temperature differences can easily cark them up. So you need to choose a camera case that is pressure and temperature resistant.
Material
Your camera case can be subject to different abuses depending on the people you give it to. The best material is polypropylene copolymer and stainless steel. These materials are very strong and lightweight. You should choose a case that is made from these materials.
Final Decision
Safety is all that you want with your camera equipment make you get a hard camera case today to protect them from water, dust, and other elements. Choose one of the best camera cases on the list above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a hard case to carry my camera?
A: There are plenty of options that one can use to carry their cameras and items. Only that it depends on where you are carrying and using the camera. Do you want to have your camera safeguarded due to the rugged terrain that you are traveling to? Hard cases are meant to help keep your cameras safe when traveling through places that have harsh weather.
Q: Are camera hard cases waterproof?
A: Camera hard cases aren’t always waterproof as it depends on the design of the case and its use. There are however lots of hard cases in the market that are designed to be waterproof and airtight which makes them ideal for photographers who are always spending time in harsh environments.
Q: What can I carry in a hard case?
A: Hard cases have different uses that can range from carrying equipment like DSLR cameras, projectors, laptop computers and many other delicate items that need protection. As long as it is something that fits in the hard case and needs to be protected from getting damaged when dropped, it can be carried in a hard case.
