Before I got my Rebel I always kept my Elf in my pocket (nice and warm) but now with a bigger camera for those who have had them for a while what do you do when its cold out (snow)? is it bad for the camera? do you have to protect it from snow and temperatures?

Yes,we have to protect the camera and especially the lenses from the change from high to low temperatures.The best bags work well and protect the camera,but we also have to help and change the temperature slowly
Some people in low temperatures put the camera in an extra plastic bag and then in the regular bag.
It's something very rare here in Greece,but i remember once when it was snowy, i used the SLR Canon 500N,and after 4-5 hours in the car,the camera refused to work and the lens was frozen too :eek:

Ive actually just been thinking about that. I have to go and take pictures of a rock pool and its inhabitants today and its raining :eek: I might just have to cover it with a plastic bag or something. I need one of those water proof cameras :)

Yes,we have to protect the camera and especially the lenses from the change from high to low temperatures.
Yes, and also to protect the lens from condensation. If it is very cold outside and you visit a museum or a heated green house, it can take a while before the condensation disappears (unless you want nice blurry photos ;)).

Olly, so what do you do to protect the camera from the extreme temperature change?

I am wondering what to do when I go to a ski resort over the Holidays, for example. Going from inside (where it's heated) to outside (where it's freezing), will it ruin the camera?

There is not much that you can do in fact... If it is cold outside and you know you are going to visit a museum, the best is to put your camera inside the bag for 10 minutes so the contrast won't be that big.
I did not do it in a green house at Kew Gardens here and I had to wait a good 20 minutes before the condensation left. That said, I had the worst conditions because it was hot and humid like in Africa for these flowers and cold outside :)