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Today we’re looking at the best camera bags money can buy. If you’re sick of wearing a camera strap, tired of missing photo opportunities because you forgot your camera at home, and you want a quality bag that can carry your camera, lenses, laptop, and other personal belongings, you absolutely need the best camera bag.
We’re going to check out a huge number of different bags today, including tons of different styles that will fit with anyone’s personal preferences. A lot of these bags are designed specifically for holding cameras, while others are engineered to be full sling bags that can carry several cameras and a whole slew of accessories.
The reality is that for any professional photographer, no ordinary backpack is going to have the proper carrying solutions for your lenses, flashguns, camera bodies, and more. The only way to walk around the city, get on an airplane, or go on a hike with all your precious gear is by getting a dedicated camera bag.
Without wasting more time, let’s get right into it!
1. Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag
The first bag on the list today is arguably the best, especially if you’re interested in a fashionable shoulder bag. This isn’t a backpack, but it’s definitely a stylish and reliable way to carry all of your camera equipment. It comes in over 5 different colors, it can hold any kind of camera lens, it has removable camera inserts within the main compartment, and the interior top divider helps shield all your gear against rain and snow.
One thing to keep in mind is that this bag is quite expensive. However, it’s built tough. Everything works, there is room to keep all of your most important valuables, the leather strap releases quickly for instant access, and the bag itself is ideal for bringing all your expensive items with you when boarding a plane. It’s small enough to fit under the seat in front of you while being large enough to hold everything you don’t want to put under the aircraft!
Pros
– Comes in Lots of Styles
– Removable Camera Inserts
– Lots of Internal Space
– Quick-Release Leather Straps
– Water Resistant
Cons
– Slightly Expensive
– No Padded Strap
2. Lowepro ProTactic BP 250 AW II
Possibly one of the most quality camera bags you can buy, the ProTactic BP 250 AW II has everything you could ever need. It’s extremely well-built and well-designed, with a 4-point access system to instantly grab whatever gear you need. The bag itself is super lightweight, with a formed shell at the top to keep all your valuables safe from impact. This is one of the better bags for light traveling and city living, as you can hold your laptop and other valuables while still having access to cameras, lenses, and accessories. The bag even includes a SlipLock system for carrying around a large tripod.
One of the best things about this camera bag is all its modular accessories. There is a bottle pouch, a utility belt, quick straps, and a dedicated phone pouch. This is not only one of the best camera bags, but it’s also a fantastic travel bag for daytrips, backpacking, and hiking.
Pros
– Multiple Modular Accessories
– Lightweight Composite Shell
– Incredibly Comfortable & Durable
– Loop System for Extra Gear
– Waist Belt + Utility Belt
Cons
– Could Be Larger
– Heavy When Fully Loaded
3. AmazonBasics SLR Camera Sling Bag
Amazon Basics always makes great equipment on the cheap. If you want the absolute cheapest camera bag available while still having enough functionality to carry your equipment with you on daytrips, adventures, and vacations, definitely consider the Amazon Basics SLR Camera Backpack. It’s not the only one they make either. There are lots of great camera backpacks offered by Amazon Basics, with tens of thousands of positive customer reviews.
This particular bag is a sling backpack that can hold one SLR camera body with between one and two lenses. It’s built from a strong black polyester material and has lots of interior storage for your accessories. It’s not big enough to hold your laptop or other personal stuff, but the interior compartments will keep your camera equipment nice and snug when on the move. Plus, with the smart sling design, you have immediate access to your critical gear without taking the bag off.
Pros
– Very Inexpensive
– Durable Black Polyester
– Good Internal Storage
– 1 SLR Camera + 2 Lenses
– Rubber Feet + Padded Dividers
Cons
– Imported from China
– Basic Bag/Few Features
4. Manfrotto Medium Backpack for DSLR Camera
The Manfrotto Backpack is excellent for using with large DSLR cameras. It comes with a removable protective insert for your camera, the back panel is padded, the shoulder straps are adjustable, and it uses a mixture of fabrics and patterns to look more stylish. This is one of the more affordable bags on the list, designed for wearing in the streets in everyday situations. It can fit your favorite cameras and equipment, along with all your important personal belongings like laptop and clothes.
This backpack has a large internal pouch, along with accessible zippered pockets to store your wallet, phone, and keys. It even has a special tripod hanging solution. As one of the special Urban Collection bags from Manfrotto, this is one of the most comfortable ways to pack your camera and supplies around town. Plus, it’s wildly affordable! You can even carry it on an airplane with you.
Pros
– Ideal for Large Cameras
– Padded Back Panel + Adjustable Straps
– Dedicated Laptop Pouch
– Zippered Pockets
– Interchangeable Dividers
Cons
– Cheaper Material
– No Quick Release
5. Pelican 1510 Protector Case
The Pelican 1510 Protector Case is the all-time best transport system for all your camera equipment. If you’re a hardcore photographer with professional equipment, no ordinary street bag is going to handle your needs. This monster case is basically indestructible. It’s built from completely crush-proof material, meaning you can run it over with a truck and all your equipment will still be okay. Plus, this case is completely watertight. No matter the weather, or if you drop the case in a river, your cameras and equipment will still be okay. And let’s talk about the price for a second. At under $200, this is an absolute steal of a deal.
The case has an easy-to-carry handle, an open cell core, a solid wall, and double throw latches. It can fit all of your camera equipment snugly with absolutely no compromises. It comes with a lifetime guarantee of excellence. The case also has padded dividers and specialized foam to keep your valuables safe. It may not be an actual bag, but it’s definitely the best piece of equipment to protect what’s important to you when traveling or on the go. This is a seriously professional unit.
Pros
– Incredibly Solid Case
– Watertight/Crush Proof/Dust Proof
– Lifetime Guarantee
– Basically Indestructible
– Customized Fit for All Equipment
Cons
– Not Technically a Bag
– Little Heavy
6. S-Zone Waterproof Canvas Camera Backpack
Last on the list is a fantastic camera backpack for under $70! While not built out of the strongest material on earth, this is a solid backpack for carrying all your cameras and equipment, along with your personal items. One of the best aspects is that it doesn’t even look like a camera bag, so nobody will knows you’re carrying thousands of dollars worth of equipment.
The bag comes with a padded insert camera organizer, removable cushions, a side door for quick access, and a detachable strap for holding a tripod. For any urban photographers, this is definitely an awesome product. It’s amazing for adventures in the city, it’s versatile, and it comes in a variety of colors to suit your personal style. The bag comes equipped with a side mesh pocket, double zippers, and a front pocket with a metal snap button. The bag is also resistant to water, super durable, and breathable to keep your back from getting all sweaty and gross.
Pros
– Fashionable & Comfy
– Very Affordable
– Holds All Travel Items
– Designed for Professional Lenses
– Padded Internal Organizer
Cons
– Small internal room
– Doesn’t Hold Laptop
Final Thoughts
When it comes to what to look for in the best camera bag, you want dedicated pockets to bring along all of your most important gear. This generally means a special pocket for your laptop + tablet, unique compartments for your cellphone, keys, and wallet, a special side pocket for a tripod or a bottle of water, and enough space inside the pouch for your jacket and some other extra supplies.
And of course, your bag should have a plethora of pockets for your camera gear. You should be able to keep at least two cameras and three or four lenses, plus all your needed accessories. You should also check for a tethering system so that you can bring extra gear like a large tripod or a heavy jacket.
Lastly, you always want to make sure your camera bag is super durable. This means having strong straps, secure buckles, a quality zipper, and fabric that isn’t going to wear down after just a couple of uses. Unfortunately, this often means that the more expensive the bag is, the better the quality is going to be. You definitely want to think of a camera bag as an investment, and don’t shy away from a more expensive product!
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