Body plus a few lenses: Condition 1 #179
A 16 inch IP67 case with a padded divider set and lid organizer, 918 cubic inches inside, 5 pounds empty. Lifetime warranty from Condition 1.
$189.99, ships from Charlottesville.
Shop the #179 →What makes a camera case actually waterproof?
An IP67 rating. The 6 means it is sealed against dust, and the 7 means it survives being submerged in about 3 feet of water for 30 minutes.
Soft camera bags are usually water resistant at best, which means they shed rain for a while. A hard case with an O-ring seal is a different category of protection, and it also stops the crushing and dropping that a soft bag cannot.
Look for an automatic pressure valve too. Without one, a sealed case can lock shut after a flight or a drive up a mountain.
How do you pick the right size camera case?
Lay out everything you carry on a table, the way you would pack it. Measure the footprint and the tallest item, then add about an inch on every side for padding.
Compare that to the interior dimensions, not the exterior. Interior is the only number that tells you whether your longest lens fits standing up or has to lie down.
| What you carry | Case | Interior | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batteries, memory cards, a small action cam, drone batteries | #184 11" | 9.29" x 7.23" x 4.13" | $69.99 |
| One body and two or three lenses, or a compact drone | #179 16" | 14.61" x 10.46" x 6.01" | $189.99 |
| Two bodies, a lens kit, flash, and chargers that fly with you | #300 22" carry-on | 19.66" x 11.18" x 7.5" | $319.99 |
Should you get padded dividers or pluck foam?
Dividers if your kit changes, foam if it never does. Most photographers swap lenses and add gear over time, which is why both of our camera cases come with padded dividers.
Hook and loop dividers move in a minute. Pluck foam holds one exact layout very well, but once a cube is out, it is out.
Can you carry a camera case on a plane?
Yes, if it fits your airline's carry-on limits. Condition 1 builds the #300 to fit the overhead compartment, so your gear stays in the cabin instead of the cargo hold.
The FAA requires spare lithium batteries to travel in carry-on bags, not checked luggage. That alone is a good reason to keep your camera kit in the cabin with you.
Condition 1 #300 22" Carry-On Camera Case
What we sell. A 22 inch rolling IP67 case with a padded divider set and two main spines, a lid organizer, off-road wheels, and a handle that extends an extra 16 inches.
Why it helps you. The whole kit stays in the cabin and in your sight. No gate check, no wondering what the cargo hold did to your glass.
How to buy. $319.99, one time purchase.
Shop the #300 →Condition 1 #184 11" Small Waterproof Case
What we sell. An 11 inch IP67 case with two layers of pluckable foam. Red or Ranger Green.
Why it helps you. The companion case. Spare batteries, cards, and the small accessories that get lost in the bottom of the big case.
How to buy. $69.99, one time purchase.
Shop the #184 →Questions people actually ask
What is the best waterproof camera case?
An IP67 rated hard case sized to your kit, with an automatic pressure valve and padded dividers. For one body and a few lenses, a 16 inch case like the Condition 1 #179 works. For a full kit that flies, a carry-on size rolling case like the #300.
What does IP67 mean for a camera case?
IP67 means the case is fully sealed against dust and can survive submersion in about 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. It is the rating to look for if your gear goes near water, sand, or weather.
Is a hard case better than a camera backpack?
For protection, yes. A hard case stops water, crushing, and drops. A backpack is easier to carry on a hike. Many photographers use both: the hard case for travel and storage, the backpack for the last mile.
Can I check a camera case on a flight?
You can check the case, but spare lithium batteries must stay in your carry-on under FAA rules. Most photographers keep the whole kit in a carry-on size case so it never leaves their sight.
How big a case do I need for a camera and lenses?
Measure your gear laid out as you would pack it and add about an inch on each side. One body and two or three lenses usually fits a case around 14 by 10 inches inside, like the Condition 1 #179.
