Cold weather damage camera?

[coralnutz]

Now that it's getting colder around here, I'm just wonder how much the cold weather affects the cameras? For example, I have an S3, and sometimes I leave it in my van while I'm at peoples houses or the store. It gets well below freezing here in the winter. Is this going to hurt anything?

Also, what about if I'm out shooting in sub freezing temps?

[Roddie]

Up here in Edmonton Alberta it gets pretty cold too....minus 20's C is not uncommon. I'll answer you question from my own experience. First part, yes I have left my S2 and my SD700 in the truck for a few hours, and had no adverse effects on either camera. I certainly wouldn't leave it overnight though. Second, unless we want to only shoot 6 months of the year we have to take our cameras out on sub zero shoots. (I can hear the Aussies saying "poor B#$%^ds!") Actually the winter arena is a great subject and I have taken many photos with no problems to the equipment. Take extra batteries, don't drop your camera in the snow and you should be fine. The camera will last as long out there as you will! As a postscript, saving for a rebel eh? I'd keep the S3, it won't be much fun trying to change lenses for that 300mm tele when you can't feel your fingers! LOL

[goforphoto]

Just place your camera in your bag when taking in and out of the cold to keep condensation from occurring. Leave it in the bag until it reaches the ambient air temperature.