Camera - Lens protectors: are they actually worth it?

(Getty Images / Louis Daguerre)

Every year, on 19 August, we observe World Photography Day – a globally recognized celebration of the photograph and its history. What actually is World Photography Day, though, and why is does it take place on this particular date?

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The history of photography dates all the way back to the 16th Century, when the camera obscura was invented. At the time there was no way to actually take a photo, but it is the precursor to modern-day film and digital photography.

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The best camera phones offer a tantalizing combination of the pinnacle of imaging technology with pin-sharp displays and lightning-fast internet connectivity. In fact, some handsets can deliver better photographs than the 'proper' camera you might otherwise be tempted to pick up.

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Choosing the best camera is hard enough for professional photographers, but when you're just starting out the choice of types and price brackets can seem overwhelming. The best camera for photography isn't necessarily the most expensive, or the most powerful – it's about choosing the right camera for what you want to do. Here's our list of the 10 best cameras right now across the whole spectrum of photography as well as its different users.

(James Artaius)

It seems like a no-brainer: a lens protector protects your lens, so of course you want to stick one on the front of your expensive optics. After all, with filters costing as little as 20 bucks, why wouldn't you attach one to protect a lens that may have cost 100 times that amount?

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Dash cams. Not so long ago you'd only find one inside a truck or commercial vehicle, but with prices becoming ever more accessible, these days there's little reason not to fit one in your car.