Take a cheap digital camera. Get a cheap USB card reader ($10 at Walmart, etc). Upload photos and email them to yourself everynight (i.e. don’t take a 16 mb card and save all your photos on it. If camera is stolen you lose all your photos too).

I’ll be taking a new digital camera… taking an old camera is not really an option… I have thought about adding some tape and other stuff to make the camera look old and a little damaged…

Your wallet will be a bigger target — particularly while you’re taking pictures, fiddling with camera gear or otherwise distracted. Most pickpockets are after cash — they strip the cash and toss the wallet and credit cards. A camera isn’t that easy to turn into cash — not to say they don’t ever get stolen.

Basic tips:

Don’t flash cash or cards. Stuff money you get from ATM or exchange bureau away quickly — don’t count, distribute to your spouse, etc. on the street. Carry a maximum of 1 credit card and 1 debit card. If you feel you need more, carry the “spares” in a money belt — along with any cash beyond what you’re likely to use during a day.

Don’t flash anything little and expensive. Use an inexpensive camera case. Don’t show ipod, fancy phone, netbook, etc. any more than absolutely necessary. Your idea of tape and other “makeup” on your camera as a disguise is a good one. Having lots of accessories makes it look like the camera’s probably expensive so don’t open up a fancy case with 1/2 dozen lenses.

Wear your camera across your body, not slung on one shoulder. Most important, don’t leave your camera gear hanging off the back of a chair in pub, cafe, internet cafe, etc. — especially true at outdoor cafe. Don’t leave it out on the table, either. If you’re traveling with someone, have them “watch your back” when your texting, e-mailing, surfing, talking on the phone or taking pictures. Use any available safe or other lock-up in hotel or hostel — check at the front desk. Be particularly careful if you sit down in a lobby, lounge, sitting room. It’s easy it is to leave something behind in an overstuffed chair.

Cameras aren’t huge targets. You can get a good camera for $100. Which means someone who steals it might be able to fence it for $15. Use the wrist strap on the camera or buy a protective/waterproof camera pouch to wear around your neck.

Here is a great website that has several links about the various pickpocket scams around the world. They even have several actual crime videos showing tourist falling victim to pickpockets – a great way to learn how to avoid them.

When you go to this website, scroll down to the pickpocket section – they will have several categories so you need to view each section.

On another note, two websites are devoted to camera security that may be of help

Camera Security Straps
and
Camera Security Bags

Hope these website help

Europe is still far safer than North America. Use some common sense and you’ll likely never have any problems.

i was in north america for 3.5 months last year and never had any problems…..although i was only travelling for 1 month, but even on my train that i was on for 52hrs, i had no problem leaving my portable dvd player in another compartment charging. maybe because the people on the train had no place to run