The Hiking Camera Conundrum

Rod McD wrote:

On the question of waterproofing, I definitely think sealing is worth having (as much for dust as for water) but if you're talking serious wind-driven rain without protection, for potentially hours on end, then I think you're grossly over-estimating the level of protection that Fuji cameras provide.

Yeah—sorry, I must have been unclear in the original post, as it seems I’ve given the impression that I’m expecting waterproofing, and I’m not.

I need it to survive torrential rain when stored. What that means is that it needs (a) to be able to put it into a dry bag or similar with some water on its outer surfaces, having used it in relatively light rain, and (b) to be able to survive if for some reason the bag is not perfectly impermeable and a small amount of moisture appears.

I certainly don’t expect the sort of resistance that the Olympus Tough or any IP-rated camera gives, nor do I expect to be able to claim under warranty for water ingress. (That said, I do have a good insurance policy which would likely cover it if necessary.)

I don’t intend to actually use the camera in driving rain. Again, that’s a job for the Olympus. I just need some confidence (not certainty) that it is sealed enough to be able to make it worthwhile accompanying me year-round in the UK without having to baby it too much.

A dry bag of some sort is a given—I know an “open carry” will most likely kill all of these cameras in the worst of our weather. The issue is that if it can be used in light rain (and if it can’t then there’s no point in paying extra for WR kit) then it will never be completely dry even inside a dry bag. Hence the question is really about surviving light rain and damp storage. I have faith in the X-Ts and probably the X-Pros, with the Fujicrons fitted; the X100V not so much.