Voted as the Best D-SLR Professional Camera in the 2011 TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) Awards, the Pentax 645D ($10,000) is a must have for professional photographers. Its 40 megapixel medium format CD sensor provides a top resolution of 7264 x 5440 pixels, making it ideal even for the largest of print sizes, without compromising the image quality. The magnesium alloy body of the camera is weather-sealed, making it an optimal choice for outdoor and location photography. Even better, this cameras lens compatibility works with new D-FA autofocus lenses as well as with older 645 lenses, ensuring a wide selection of Pentax glass for a wide range of results.

As a photographer, you never leave home without your beloved camera. But as you know, there are just places that you’re better off without it – unless, you don’t mind dropping it in a river or several feet below when you go hiking or something. DSLRs aren’t cheap by any means; and it’s perfectly understandable why you’d prioritize its well-being over yours (although you probably shouldn’t). With the Cam Crate ($50), you can throw away all your your worries (and even your precious camera, without damaging it) out the window. The Cam Crate is an element-proof casing (with a very cushiony interior) that shelters and protects your camera from just about anything and everything. It is water-proof (it floats, even), mud-proof, crush-proof, and drop–proof to summarize – it’s indestructible. One size fits most; it also features a quick-action door, preventing you to miss a good snapshot, and a lifetime warranty – because it was engineered to last for just that.

Capture larger-than-life images with the near pocket-size Nikon 1 ($650). You won’t miss life’s highlights and simple joys as you can take the Nikon 1 practically everywhere you go. Imprint moments on high-quality photos without the burden of having to carry a bulky camera with you. Creativity is unhindered by the camera’s portability as the Nikon 1 boasts of the latest in imaging technology – it is powered by the revolutionary CX-format super high-speed AF CMOS sensor.  Every split-second of an event can be documented with remarkable precision and clarity via the 10fps speed when in autofocus mode. The Motion Snapshot also allows your images to be not just mere photos – you can relive the emotions as memories come to life via this feature. All these and more are what’s offered to you by the Nikon 1 – in full 1080HD, I might add.

Millican’s Ian Camera Case ($40) is designed to carry a point-and-shoot camera with accessories. It’s made from 100% organic cotton weatherproof canvas with a brushed cotton lining. The Ian is padded with Herdwick wool to protect your camera from bumps and scratches, and has an interior pocket for extra batteries and memory cards.

Before you scroll past this post, take notice that this isn’t the Clap you want avoid. The CLAP by Superheadz ($50) is a tiny, barebones digital camera  that takes 2 megapixel photos with a 1280 x 1024 resolution and movies at 720 x 480. It has a MicroSD slot which supports up to 16GB, a rechargeable Li-ion battery and a built-in USB that plugs right into your computer for recharging and downloading photos and videos.

Panasonic’s latest additon to its G-series may be more compact than its predecessors, but this micro four-thirds compact digital camera offers more controls and features any creative photographer will appreciate. The Panasonic Lumix DX1 ($700) features a 16.01-megapixel Live MOS sensor with advanced noise reduction system to produce high-quality images with minimal noise, 12,800 ISO for low-light conditions, the Venus Engine image processor for full -size shooting at 4.2fps, a built-in flash, and 1080p video recording, all packed in a black or silver body.

Our biggest peeve about the classic Polaroid camera was was wasting prints on crappy photos. Especially since those photo cartridges weren’t cheap. Polaroid’s new Z340 Instant Digital Camera ($300) combines the same  instant gratification of printing and sharing your photos with the flexibility of a digital camera. Now you can pick the photos before you print and keep unwanted photos ending up in landfills.

Joby Gorillapod Micro 250 ($20)

When you need some solid support for taking photos that’s also travel-friendly, turn to Joby’s Gorillapod Micro 250 ($20). Perfect for point-and-shoot cameras up to 250g, the Micro 250 ($20) features a sleek, compact design, aluminum positioning ball with 36-degree of movement in any direction and Zinc alloy legs with rubber tips to keep the camera steady on any surface.

The Handy Dandy Hand Strap ($40)

Taking one-handed photos with unwieldy DSLRs is usually not recommended, unless you’re armed with a camera with the Handy Dandy Hand Strap ($40). Made with ultra-plush padded leather, this hand strap keeps your camera snug and secure in the palm of your hands. It also keeps your finger on the button so you’re always ready to shoot and makes you look less of a tourist without a camera hanging around your neck.

While standard digital cameras can record videos and video camcorders can record stills, JVC’s new GC-PX10 ($900) can do both. This hybrid combines a point-and-shoot and a digital camcorder, capable of shooting both 12-megapixel stills and full HD 1920 x 1080/60p video at up to 36Mbps, as well as super-slow-motion 300fps footage and time-lapse video. The GC-PX10 packs a 12.75-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, tiltable 3-inch touch panel LCD display, 32GB of on-board storage with SD expansion slot, Konica Minolta 10x optical zoom lens, Falconbird imaging engine, and more.