Lowepro Santiago 30 Camera Case - Black Review

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $17.19
Today's Bonus: 14% Off

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This is a very well-made portable digital camera case (or, as others have mentioned, can be used for GPS units as well), and I was impressed with the OUTER sturdiness of it. Where it was lacking, in my opinion, is the lack of padding (equating to protection), on the INSIDE. While there is an elastic belt that holds the camera in place, I thought there could have been a LOT more inside padding to protect the camera in case of a fall without sacrificing interior space. There's virtually NO padding on the inside wall that the body of the camera rests against when it is strapped in, or on the opposite wall, for that matter.

I'm not sure if a strapped-in camera would be safe from shock/breakage or dents even with the sturdy outside design in a lengthy fall. I'm sure it would be fine if the case/camera fell from arm's length to the ground, but not so sure in the outdoors, and wonder why they simply didn't add more padding on both inside walls to protect the camera.

Other than that, it's a matter of personal preference whether you like a thin or thicker neck strap (I prefer a thinner but stronger one), and all-in-all, this no-frills camera case IS well made, with a convenient belt-loop, compartment to hold a few memory cards, and as previously mentioned, very sturdy outside shell. Before use, for extra protection and peace of mind, using double-sided tape, I would place a small, cut-to-fit piece of bubble wrap on the inside wall that the camera is strapped up against, going up the divider (which is padded, but not sufficiently in my opinion), especially if an expensive portable digital camera is what's inside.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program When I recieved the Lowepro Santiago 30 Camera Case, I was already certain it was going to be a case of exceptional quality, as Lowepro camera cases have always been. This particular case is no exception, with the same sturdy construction as their larger professional camera bags. This particular compact camera case features a hard shell covered in a rugged material, two-way zippers, and very soft protective interior lining. It features both a belt loop and a shoulder strap for a choice in carry style. There is an interior pocket that is perfect for holding spare batteries, memory cards, similar necessities. The two halves of this clamshell style case are held together by side panel wings that prevent the pouch from opening too far when unzipped, avoiding any accidents of anything falling out unexpectedly. This is a very well thought out and sturdy design for a compact point & shoot camera, perfect those who stay on the go or venture into less than hospitable places where a camera could use the extra protection against knock and bumps.

Best Deals for Lowepro Santiago 30 Camera Case - Black

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Fits my CANON point and shoot camera AND it's battery charger.

it has a belt loop and a spagetti string strap to carry it, but i don't use either. It's perfect for storing your camera or other electronic device when travelling (in a suitcase) or placing with other items in a carryall. It adds very little weight, yet it provides solid semi-rigid protection for your device. What else would you expect from the most popular case company for cameras...

Honest reviews on Lowepro Santiago 30 Camera Case - Black

I got this for a Canon G11, which is a large point and shoot camera. It's a snug fit when you try to cram in a neck strap along with the camera. No room for anything else. But a large P&S was my choice, so no criticism as to size. If you have a small camera or device, size shouldn't be a problem.

But:

(1) The earlier reviewer is right: No padding whatsoever on the inside. I would not want to drop it more than 6 inches to a hard surface with a camera inside.

(2) It is not a hard-sided case as advertised. The material is stiff, but flexible. Your camera is in jeopardy if someone sits or steps on it.

(3) The zipper closure is a scratch risk. Unless I'm very slow and careful, pulling the camera out inevitably drags the camera body across the zipper.

I won't be using this for my G11 or any camera. I'd give it two stars on its merits, but the price is attractive, so three.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Lowepro Santiago 30 Camera Case - Black

Stash your point-and-shoot digital camera (or, as others have mentioned, a compact GPS) into this case. Then either hang it around your neck OR loop it through your belt (or other strap of your choice); you'll have only yourself to blame when you lose or damage your gear by some other means.

This is sturdy, clamshell-style case with very rigid corners. It's softer towards its center, and while it probably wouldn't stand up to be running over by a car, it will certainly take the strain of being tucked inside a bag, jostled around the inside of a vehicle, or bouncing through ups and downs of a day trip. Lowepro shows the same level of quality in an under-$20 product as it does in its more expensive items.

The zipper enclosure operates smoothly. An interior pocket provides extra snugness for smaller cameras, and an elastic strap can retain a miscellaneous item or two. This case easily held an Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 camera, an iPod nano, Sony earbuds and a USB cable (see the user images). It also held the same camera and an AC charging adapter, but the arrangement for this was awkward due to the bulk of the adapter.

Obviously not as compact as soft cases, when you choose this model you are making a conscious decision of choosing added protection over portability, since this won't fit in any standard size shirt or pants pocket.