What type of camera can work in extreme weather conditions?

Question

Are there camera out there that are capable to withstand at least some of the following type of weather conditions and are able to take good quality photos (not necessarily the most high quality photos)?

1. Hot weather where temperature might hit at least 50 degree Celsius
2. Underwater condition in a swimming pool (able to take good photo during day / night)
3. Sandstorms condition
4. Thunderstorm condition
5. Earthquake condition
6. Underwater condition in sea
7. Able to withstand hard knocks
8. Snowing condition
9. During nuclear meltdown or post nuclear conditions

Asked by Jack

Answer

Yes — at least on the more realistic side of each extreme situation. There are many ruggedized cameras, almost any of which will cover some degree of each item on your whole list — although none will take being actually hit by lightning. A sandstorm is a tall order and you may want additional protection, if you're really out in it. Likewise, these will handle snorkeling, but if you're going down where there is significant pressure you probably need additional precautions.

For nuclear disaster, assuming your own safety is either adequately dealt with or that you are past caring, no off-the-shelf camera will help. Radiation will fog film and can destroy digital sensors (and flip bits on memory cards). When photographer Igor Kostin illegally went into the Chernobyl site days after the explosion, he wore a lead suit and protected his camera gear with lead boxes — something similar would be recommended were you in a similar situation. Years later, a Chernobyl tour site notes that putting camera equipment on the ground is forbidden as it risks contamination, but doesn't offer further words of warning on protecting camera gear; presumably the tour is short enough and stays far enough away from high radiation areas as to minimize the risk.

For the more realistic scenarios, though, a camera feature search at Digital Photography Review turns up almost two dozen shockproof cameras, and I believe all of these results happen to be waterproof as well — which also means sealed against dust. You can narrow down the search from there.

Answered by mattdm

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