Camera Lanyard Buyer’s Guide

Whether you have a compact digital camera you keep in your pocket, a dSLR camera that you use for serious photography, or a high-tech digital video camera, you need a camera lanyard. Camera lanyards keep your cameras safe from unwanted drops and falls, but also don’t impede your ability to take good shots. They can even make you camera easier to carry and harder for thieves to steal (although you should always be careful of this). While most cameras do come with lanyards, if yours has become broken, lost, or you simply want to add a little bit of personal flair, you can find a lanyard at many different places online in a multitude of different materials, styles, colors, and patterns.

There are a few reasons to use a camera lanyard, but the best one by far is that it protects your camera from unwanted drops or falls.  Most great pictures happen from untraditional angles, and by looking for something new and a different location you can set your pictures apart.  Everyone that visits Prague gets a picture on the Charles Bridge, but what if you leaned out a little bit or the edge?  You might find a great angle.  Unfortunately, taking pictures this way puts you at more of a risk to drop your camera because you don’t have both hands on it.  Luckily, if you’re wearing a digital camera lanyard, regardless of if you lose your grip or if someone else bumps you, your camera is still securely attached to you.

If you’ve got a dSLR or video camera and are using a camera neck lanyard, they can also help you to both carry your camera around and deter thieves.  Placing the camera on your body takes it out of your hands and makes it much harder for someone to just snatch it from you.  Still beware however, wearing an expensive camera will make you a target and some thieves may just use knives to cut the lanyard around your neck.  Make sure that the neck strap you choose is high quality and thick to prevent this from happening before you can draw attention to the thief.

Because they are so beneficial and just plain cheap, you should always have a lanyard on your camera to protect it.  You’ll have two choices, a camera wrist lanyard and a camera neck lanyard.

Camera wrist lanyards are mostly used for compact digital cameras.  They go around your wrist and are great for keeping your camera secure while you’re using it.  Almost every camera comes with one in the carrying case, but if you’ve lost yours, or just want to add a more personal touch to your camera, you can find several different options different places online for extremely cheap.

Camera neck lanyards are a little bit more expensive, but a lot more functional.  They’re mostly used for dSLR and video cameras that you won’t be able to fit in a pocket all day.  For these straps, need to look for several things.

First, always make sure that the strap is able to hold your camera.  Opt for thicker, more durable straps that will be able to take a beating, especially if you plan on using your camera a lot.

Second, make sure that the camera strap is comfortable to wear.  While the strap should be thick and durable, also make sure that you can wear it for several hours without having to worry about it digging into your shoulder or neck.

Finally, don’t forget about getting a lanyard that matches your fashion style and looks great.  Especially if you’ll be wearing your camera a lot, you should find one you won’t be embarrassed to be seen with.

A camera lanyard protects the huge investment that you’ve made in your digital camera by making it easier to carry and making sure that it doesn’t get dropped or stolen.  They’re relatively cheap and can be found through several different realtors online in many different sizes, shapes, and styles, so start looking for the one you want today.