It depends on how hard you are on your equipment, where you plan to take it, and how much you have invested in your camera gear in the first place. If you've made a sizable investment in your camera gear, or it carries sentimental value, it makes sense to protect it accordingly. Camera hard cases provide the strongest level of protection, but as a result are typically bulkier. If you don't need as high a level of protection and are looking to be nimbler in your photographic style, a padded camera bag might be enough for you.