Lowepro Ridge 20 Pouch Digital photo camera > Reviews (1)

When I purchased my new compact digital camera I also had to look for a case as it was slightly too large for my old case. I did need the case quickly as I was going on holiday so I did not research products at all; I just went to Comet and purchased the only case that they had in stock that fitted my camera.

I purchased the Lowepro Ridge 20 for about £12 about a year ago and I have used it a lot in the last 12 months.

This case is black (unlike the photograph) and is made of a water resistant woven fabric. This case is not classified as water-proof but I have never noticed any dampness inside the case even when it has been raining. However I do always wrap my camera in a self-sealing plastic bag when on water-rides at theme parks as I don’t want to take too many chances. The case looks nice as the fabric does not appear shiny or cheap. There is a small rubber badge stating Lowepro on the front and a sewn tag at the back stating which model the case is. The case feels lightweight without being flimsly.

Exterior Dimensions: 7.5cm x 5cm x 13cm
Interior Dimensions: 6.5cm x 3.5cm x 12cm

The case has a belt loop on the rear which is just over 6cm deep. This belt loop is how I carry the camera most of the time, it feels secure but it is sewn in such a way that it is easy to slip on and off a belt or strap without difficulty as it is not too tight fitting. It is double-stitched on both ends and after a year of use there are no signs of wear or of the stitches coming undone.

The case is supplied with a narrow shoulder strap which attaches via two D-rings on the top, rear of the case. I have used this occasionally but I find that because it is so thin it is not terribly comfortable to wear even when the camera is not particularly heavy. I also find the strap a bit long, I certainly couldn’t wear it around my neck and even over my shoulder it still keeps hitting my hip. It would be much better if the strap was adjustable.

The main compartment has a padded brushed tricot lining to protect the camera against knocks and scratches. The padding is only on the front and rear of the case, there is no protection at the sides of the case. The compartment is zipped near the rear, the zip has a black and orange fabric tag which is easy to use and shows no sign of coming apart. The zip runs very easily so opening and closing the case is quick and does not require much attention and the zip never jams on the fabric which I used to experience once with an old case of mine. The zip starts at 3cm from the bottom of the case and goes all the way around to the same place on the other side. This gives easy access to the camera and inside this compartment there is a folded panel on each side which sits within the bottom 4cm of the zip so your camera will not fall out accidently when you unzip the case. My camera measures very nearly the size of the compartment so it is a snug fit but I do not have any trouble getting it in or out.

On the front of the case there is an expanding pocket which is closed with Velcro.

I believe this is probably to store a spare battery but I do not own one of those so have never used it for that. However it has come in handy for storing a house key and some money when I have just popped out with my camera so I do know that it closes securely. The piece of Velcro is really large so there is no problem closing the pocket.

On the front of the expandable pocket there is a zipped compartment designed for extra memory cards. The zip runs downwards and also has the same sturdy fabric tag as the main compartment. This pocket is a good size and easily holds several memory cards and they are easy to get at. When I purchased this I presumed it would be tricky to get into this pocket and would no doubt result in scratching my fingers with the zip but I was very much mistaken and I have been very happy with it.

Having been using this case regularly now for a year I have been very happy with its performance. The fabric is extremely hard-wearing and the case still basically looks brand new, the only sign of wear that I have noticed is the plastic black coating coming off the metal ring that attaches the tag to the zip. The camera is easy to access and even when I have put it back in the case and forgotten to zip it up it has stayed snug and secure. The extra pockets are very handy and the belt loop is sturdy and easy to use. The long strap is useful occasionally but it would benefit from being adjustable and a bit thicker. For the price that I paid I am very happy with my purchase and I expect many more years of good service from this neat little case.