Digital cameras are very sensitive to water damage. If they are inundated with water it is very unlikely that the camera will be salvageable. Digital cameras make picture taking a breeze, so we take them with us everywhere. We can record our lives for posterity very easily through photographs and the newer digital cameras are small and convenient to carry with us anywhere we go. We don't always think about how fragile these cameras can be. They are especially vulnerable to water damage, yet we will take them to the pool, hot tub, beach, and lake. We have them with us when we go hiking, biking, or if we just hang out with friends outdoors. We don't think about how our camera could be soaked in a sudden rainstorm.
We should take precautions to keep our digital cameras out of harm's way. If you take the camera near water make sure to carry it in a water proof container. Put it in a plastic bag and seal the bag. Put the plastic bag inside an air tight container. Be sure to keep the camera sealed inside the air tight container at all times when it is not in use.
It is best not to leave your digital camera where small children or pets can get close to it. Animals drool and children are easily tempted to play with things they shouldn't. It is not uncommon for children to put things in water or to accidently spill liquids on them. A digital camera would be doomed in these situations.
If your digital camera gets wet even after you've taken these precautions, there is a high probability that it will not function properly or at all. If the camera was very expensive you may want to rush it to a repair shop and see what they can do. There will most likely be an upfront charge to look at the camera and there won't be a guarantee that the repairs will work.
If you are looking at a less expensive digital camera that has suffered from water damage you may be better off replacing it rather than trying to have it repaired. At the same time this means you have nothing to lose so you might want to attempt to repair it yourself. Maybe you will luck out and the camera will work fine after you dry it out.
If your camera has fallen into water, get it out as quickly as possible. Remove the battery right away. Open all the doors and compartments on the camera. Take it apart as far as you are comfortable that you can put it back. Take a soft, dry cloth and blot away any water you can see. Set the digital camera in a hot car on the dashboard for a while to dry it out. Don't leave it too long as you want to dry the camera but not melt it. Take the camera in the house and set it on a table. Get out your vacuum and using the hose, pull as much water out of the camera as you can. Charge the batteries and let the camera air dry for several days. Put the batteries in the camera and turn it on. If you are lucky it will function without a hitch.
