Waterfield Designs Camera Case Review

When Waterfield Designs announced a new line of cases for cameras, I was excited to check them out. I've seen the quality of some of their notebook computer bags, so was interested in seeing if they had a case that would fit my Pentax Optio W10.  Their camera cases do not disappoint.

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On their website (www.sfbags.com), they offer 8 sizes of camera cases. There is a little tool to help you find the right one for your camera. Unfortunately, my W10 wasn't listed in the models, but after a few quick measurements, I decided that the Panorama model (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.5") would work. However, upon the suggestion of a WaterField Designs representative, the Megapixel size (4" x 2.5" x 1.5") ended up being a better fit. I was also reviewing a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 and it also fit into the Megapixel case that I had.

Here are all the sizes that WaterField offers:

• Aperture - 3.5" x 2" x 1"
• Compostion - 3.5" x 2.5" x 1"
• Exposure - 3.5" x 2.5" x 1.5"
• Flash - 4" x 2" x 1"
• Focus - 4" x 2.5" x 1"
• Megapixel - 4" x 2.5" x 1.5"
• Panorama - 4.5" x 2.5" x 1.5"
• Zoom - 4.5" x 3 " x 1.5"

The camera cases also come in 6 colors. If you use one of their Indium fabric cases ($29 at the time of the review), you can choose from Blue, Lead, and Taxi. If you want leather (a few dollars extra at $33, at the time of review), you can choose from Pink, Black, and Orange. I reviewed the Blue Indium case.

Camera Case Features

All of Waterfield Designs' bags are constructed with high quality water-resistant ballistic nylon. The color panels (Indium fabric or leather) are added to the sides. The interior of the case is padded with plush neoprene to prevent scratches. Two flat interior pockets are perfect for storing memory media, a spare battery, or other flat items.

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A carabiner attached to a fabric loop on the exterior allows the case to be clipped on to a plethora of items like a belt loop or a D-ring on a backpack. The self-locking zipper pull has a nice soft plastic grip to make it easy to pull. The zipper extends over two sides of the rectangular bag to provide easy access.

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Camera Case Build Quality and Performance

Build quality is excellent. The ballistic nylon that is used to create the bag is sturdy and strong. All seams are stitched tightly. The loop that holds the carabiner, which is probably the weakest point, is nice, wide and stitched in heavily.

My Pentax W10 slides in easily and fits well. The bag is a little thick for the camera, but if I had an extra battery pack, I would need that extra space.

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Little touches, like putting their tag inside one of the inner pockets to prevent any scratching, really represent the effort that goes into their designs. The zipper on the camera case is large enough to be sturdy and hold closed well, but is still small enough that it doesn't ruin the bag design.

The padded interior may not provide good protection against a drop of over 4 feet, but will be able to handle a toss into a bag or onto a table without a problem. Also, if you have a camera with a fragile LCD, an impact with a sharp object in the right location may still damage it since the bag doesn't have any rigid protection in it.

Where to Buy

You can find WaterField Designs' entire product line at www.sfbags.com. From their home page, click the Camera Case image/link. If you're not sure which size to get after using their product finder on the Camera Case page, don't hesitate to contact them. They are more than happy to help.

Conclusion

The Waterfield Designs Camera Case is an excellent soft-sided camera case. The high quality craftsmanship and excellent design give this case a lot of value for your money.  With plenty of colors and choice of two different coverings, the camera case will work equally well for someone looking for style, or for someone just looking for a high quality case for their camera.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Plush interior prevents scratches
• High quality, rugged construction
• Both stylish and practical

Cons

• Won't handle impact with sharp objects (this is a soft sided case)