Your camera isn’t weather sealed, it’s weather-resistant. This means your camera isn’t waterproof. That’s a huge difference. It’s imperative to understand this as it can lead to photographers not knowing the difference between them. This is especially the case for newer photographers who never understand how durable their camera gear is. Even years later, I’m traumatized by seeing a photographer pull a camera and lens out of their pocket with no protection. So let’s dive into this.

What do these terms mean?

Notice we didn’t say waterproof. Very few cameras are waterproof, and they’re only so when all the doors and seals are completely shut.

Here’s where it can get confusing. Camera manufacturers refer to their durability designs as weather seals. They’ll say things along the lines of their cameras and lenses having weather seals. These are correct, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely impervious to the elements; they’re just more weather-resistant to environmental hazards.

Further, you also need to search for diagrams of how weather resistance is done. The key places to look on a lens are the following:

Cameras are much different. Here’s where to look for weather-resistant seals on a camera’s diagrams:

Typically, this is done a few ways. It’s done by using overlapping materials and rubber gaskets. Combine this with the right amount of pressure and it will create a weather-resistant lens or camera. 

Here’s where is gets crazier: if the camera manufacturer says there is weather resistance, your warranty probably won’t cover it. Why? I don’t know. As far as I see, that’s theft. And it’s a major problem across the photo industry with cameras and lenses. There are techs and reps who will tell you that even if your camera doesn’t have a weather-resistant design, it will be fine in the rain. This is irresponsible language. It encourages a photographer to put their product at risk and then have to pay for the consequences.

So why does any of this matter? Well, a weather-resistant design doesn’t just apply to going out into the elements. It also means your product is more durable and should be more reliable over time. It will mean your sensor doesn’t get as dirty too.

Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He also likes pizza.