Canon Sure Shot WP-1 Review: A Weatherproof Film Camera Perfect for Rainy Days by Katya Rowny

Living in the Pacific Northwest, I have been on the hunt for an everyday camera that could withstand the near constant rain that Washington is known for.

Luckily, I stumbled upon the Canon Sure Shot WP-1 at a local camera show.

I was first drawn to this camera because of its looks. The bright red shutter and grip, plus its bulky plastic cover, gave it a toy-like look, and I couldn’t help but be drawn in. The original owner told me about the adventures he took the camera on, including kayaking down a river and praised the capabilities of the camera.

Sold, I handed over my cash.

Find the Canon Sure Shot WP-1 on eBay.

About the Canon WP-1

The Canon Weatherproof 1 is a durable, water-resistant, and shockproof camera designed for adventures on land or at sea. Equipped with a sharp 32mm f/3.5 lens, fast and reliable autofocus, a built-in flash, and a macro mode reaching 45 cm, it is the ideal companion for capturing all the moments, some water included.

Introduced as part of Canon’s Sure Shot (Autoboy) lineup, the WP-1 is specifically designed for casual photography in wet or unpredictable environments. It prioritizes durability, ease of use, and protection from moisture over manual control or advanced features.

According to the manual, the camera is intended for use in rain, splashes, and humid conditions, making it well suited for travel, beach outings, and everyday outdoor photography. Although waterproof, it is not intended for underwater escapades.

Visually, the Canon WP-1 can be identified by the red rubber panel on the front beneath the Canon logo, replacing the grey panel found on the underwater models. In addition, its close-up setting is marked with a flower icon for Macro mode, rather than the fish symbol used to indicate underwater shooting.

The WP-1 is not to be confused with the Canon Sure Shot A-1, which is waterproof and has a panoramic option. The A-1 is also known as the Prima AS-1 / Canon Sure Shot A1 / Canon Autoboy D5, depending on the region it was manufactured in.

Weatherproof vs Waterproof

There has been ongoing speculation that the WP-1 experienced production or sealing limitations, leading Canon to market it as weatherproof or splash-resistant rather than fully waterproof. This distinction separates it from the other Sure Shot underwater models, which were officially rated for submersion.

Manufacturing location is often cited as a possible factor: many WP-1 units were produced in China, while most of the fully underwater models were manufactured in Taiwan.

The WP-1 features a sealed, weather-resistant body engineered to protect internal components from water and dust. Canon specifies that the camera is waterproof against rain and splashing, but it is not intended for full underwater use. The manual emphasizes proper care of seals and gaskets, particularly when opening the camera to load film or replace batteries, as maintaining these seals is essential to preserving the camera’s waterproof performance.

Canon WP-1’s Build & Features

The Sure Shot WP-1’s exterior is robust and utilitarian, with large controls that are easy to operate even with wet hands. This practical design reflects the WP-1’s purpose as a worry-free snapshot camera rather than a precision photographic tool.

One of the WP-1’s defining features is its fully automatic operation. Exposure, focus, film advance, and rewind are all handled internally. This is the ultimate point and shoot camera. The user simply loads DX-coded 35 mm film, composes the shot, and presses the shutter.

A built-in flash activates automatically in low-light conditions, with limited flash control available through simple user settings. The manual outlines basic flash behavior and shooting distances but does not offer advanced flash customization. This automation makes the WP-1 especially accessible to beginners or photographers who prefer a straightforward shooting experience.

The camera supports DX-coded 35 mm film, automatically setting film speed based on the cartridge coding. It can read DX coded film speeds 25 ISO to 3200 ISO.

Film loading is motorized, as are film advance and rewind, reducing the risk of loading errors. Power is supplied by batteries housed in a sealed compartment under the red grip. It uses a CR 123A/DL or 123A 3v lithium battery.

It is suggested to use a coin to open the battery door and to always inspect the O-ring (black rubber ring housing). The O-ring is what makes the camera resistant to water exposure from rain or splashes, but remember, the WP-1 isn’t created for submersion or high-pressure water situations.

The manual spends a great deal of time reminding us that misuse in underwater conditions can compromise seals and damage internal electronics.

Specifications

Type: Waterproof, fully automatic 35 mm lens-shutter camera (weather-resistant design)
Film Format: 135 (standard 24 × 36 mm)
Film Speed (ISO): ISO 25–3200 via DX-coded film
Film Handling: Automatic loading, advance, rewinding, and frame counting
Lens: Canon fixed lens, 32 mm f/3.5
Focus System: AiAF (Smart AF)
Shooting Distance: Normal: 0.45 m / 1.5 ft to infinity, Close-up mode: 0.45 m / 1.5 ft to 1 m / 3.3 ft
Shutter Type: Electromagnetically-driven shutter with integrated program modes
Exposure: Fully automatic (no manual override)
Magnification: approx. 0.42×
Displays: Picture frame, parallax correction lines, AF frame
Built-in Flash: Yes; automatically fires in low light
Flash Modes:
• Flash AUTO – automatic firing
• Flash ON – flash fires every shot
• Flash OFF – no flash
Self-Timer: Electronically-controlled 10-second delay with blinking lamp
Frame Counter: Counts up when winding, down when rewinding
Battery: One 3 V lithium (DL123A / CR123A)
Dimensions: 133.5 × 88.3 × 53.6 mm / 5.25 × 3.48 × 2.11 in
Weight: ~300 g / 10.6 oz (camera only)
Weatherproofing: Designed to withstand splashes, rain, and moisture, but not intended for underwater submersion per the manual.

Pros & Cons of the Canon WP-1

Some pros include: ease of use, option to turn the flash off (if you remember), a large viewfinder and the incorporated red design on the camera.

Some of the cons of the Canon WP-1 are: no manual exposure control, focus override, or interchangeable lens capability. Left in auto mode, the flash will fire, potentially overexposing the shot.

There are no zoom capabilities, although there is a tripod mount next to the battery compartment.

Creative flexibility is limited on this camera; the most aesthetic decisions are left to composition and film selection.

Worth the Price?

Sure, the Canon Sure Shot WP-1 is a practical, weather-resistant 35mm film camera that’s designed for effortless photography, but is it worth the price?

For what it’s worth nowadays, going roughly in the hundreds (I think I paid $120 for mine) I would say yes, it is worth it.

I absolutely love wearing this camera around my neck with its bright red strap and having people comment and engage with me. I enjoy the simplicity of using the camera, while the auto flash can be quite annoying, it’s not enough of a deterrent to make me not pick up the camera.

The WP-1 offers me peace of mind when I’m out on the trails hiking in the rainy wet season that is the PNW and the simplicity of it ensures that I capture the shot without fussing over settings.

The automatic operation, durable construction, and splash-proof design make it a dependable option for casual shooting, travel, and outdoor use. While it lacks manual controls and is not suitable for true underwater photography, the WP-1 fulfills its purpose as a simple, resilient point-and-shoot.

For photographers seeking an easy-to-use film camera that can handle moisture and rough conditions, the Canon Sure Shot WP-1 remains a functional and approachable choice.

Thank you so much, Katya! Katya is a regular contributor for Shoot It With Film, and you can check out her other articles here, such as The Best Film Cameras for Travel and Chrome, Grain, & Nostalgia: Tips for Photographing Cars on Film.

You can also find more of Katya’s work on her website and Instagram.

Let us know your questions about the Canon Sure Shot WP-1 with below in the comments, and you can pick one up for yourself here on eBay.

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Katya Rowny

Katya Rowny is a travel photographer and a regular contributor for Shoot It With Film. Find her other articles here, such as Olympus XA2 Point & Shoot Film Camera Review and Elektra 100 Film Review.

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