The most common way a digital camera gets dropped may surprise you, just as it did the editors of PC Photo magazine when they conducted a survey on the topic.

We asked our Digicamhelp newsletter subscribers the same question. Less than a handful got the answer right.

Here’s what they guessed:

• When the strap breaks or comes undone.
• Not using the wrist or neck strap.
• By not having a good grasp and a neck or hand loop.
• When replacing the batteries.
• When it is taken in or out of the case, or whatever you use to keep it safe.
• When its strap gets entangled with some doorknob, car handle, etc.
• When using the self-timer.
• When opening the memory card door.
• When it gets knocked off a a table.
• When it falls out of your pocket.
• When it simply slips off the hand carrying it around.
• When holding camera using wet fingers at the beach.
• When picking up another item.

So then, just what is the most common way a digital camera gets dropped? Passing a camera around so friends can look at photos on the LCD.

Be forewarned!