Needless to say, a camera bag is a must-have for every photographer on the move. Whether it is for hiking up mountains, for that one special sunrise shot or commuting with your camera behind you, a camera bag is an essential safety kit that protects cameras and other accessories even in unusual situations. There are several types of camera bags, like backpacks and daysacks, holsters and rollers. But there will always be that one bag that is appropriate for a certain type of luggage at a certain occasion.
The list of camera bags below is for DSLR or mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses. With the fragility of these lenses, the bag has to be sturdy and reliable to protect the lenses from breaking. There are other considerations in choosing the right camera bag. One may think of the amount of luggage to be placed inside. Huge bags may prove to be convenient in carrying an entire kit, but putting everything inside it may not be appropriate for short video stints. Also, don't forget about the accessories and whether or not the camera bag is big enough to accommodate them as well. Some equipment like on-camera strobes may also simply not fit in any bag and will need a separate case.
The Everyday Messenger bag may be a bit pricey but its clever touches and ergonomic, practical design is surely worth the price. It comes with a spring-loaded flap-catch with four fastening points that make it secure and easy to use at the same time. This feature also allows the bag to expand or contract to accommodate varying loads. The flap also comes with a zipper for easier access. It also comes with slots to accommodate a 13-inch laptop and tablet. A tripod can also be attached on top. Its innovative dividers in the main section efficiently allow individual items to have a space inside the bag. To ensure that the contents of the bag will not spill over, the Everyday Messenger is supported by a wide and supple shoulder strap as well as a stabilizing waist strap making it stay put around your body while preventing it from bouncing while you walk.
The Everyday Messenger Version 1 can be bought for $179.70 on Amazon.
The Gitzo Adventury 30L is bursting with features that make it a special backpack, able to withstand the competition in this area. It can accommodate 1-2 Pro DSLRs with 70-200mm lens attached, 3-4 additional lenses, mirrorless camera with 2-3 lenses, 15-inch laptop, tablet and accessories. Its exterior dimension measures are 48 x 31 x 19cm and the entire bag weighs 2 kilograms.
Specifically, this camera bag is designed to accommodate a pro DSLR (including a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II or Nikon D5) with a 70-200mm f/4 lens attached. Its second body can accommodate four more spare lenses. You can also put inside another set of cameras and accessories such as a 400mm f/4, a camera body and a couple of lenses or small accessories. It is an excellent camera bag as it has great internal padding while on the outside, the bag is made of weather-resistant materials with coated zippers and bottom section. There is also a rain cover to protect the bag during extreme weather conditions. Its blue-black color combination is also designed so it can fit in easily when carried outdoors. It can be bought on Amazon for $199.99.
The Lowepro Photo Active 300 abounds with side pockets for extra things that you want to bring along the way. It can accommodate a DSLR camera with a lens attached, two further lenses, 15-inch laptop and accessories. It has external dimensions of 31 x 19 x 48cm and can weigh up to 1.48 kilograms. One can enjoy its spacious interior fit for moderate DSLR kits. It has stretch pockets on the front, two side flaps and each shoulder strap has features encouraging you to carry more. Worried of everything getting mixed up inside the bag? Its QuickShelf system keeps its dividers stiff and in place so that everything can stay put. Meanwhile, it also has huge D-rings on the zips, for you to open and close the bag easily. Laptops, however, may not be fully secure as this bag lacks padding on its top. But if the laptop measures less than 15 inches, it can be tucked safely inside. It is sold on Amazon for $94.99.
Spacious and stylish, the Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 masterfully blends classic design with modern needs. This latest Pro camera bag is a better, much-improved version of the classic Pro version bag. It comes with a new luggage strap, a stronger and more comfortable handle and a weather-resistant zipper on its back. It has the capacity to carry a DSLR or mirrorless camera, two or three further lenses and accessories. Its external dimensions measures 43 x 16 x 240cm. The bag weighs 1.2 kilograms.
Its padded body and thick dividers, a pair of spacious pockets on the front can surely make you feel that everything is well-constructed and secure. Its wider space can even allow a laptop in between the bag. It does not come with a free strap pad, and thus, buying an extra strap pad is surely an added expense.
It is sold on Amazon for $290.
The LowePro Streetline SL 140 is a comfortable camera bag with a nice finish, but with limited capacity and no rubber feet on its base. It can accommodate a small DSLR or mirrorless camera, 1-2 additional lenses, 11-inch laptop, tablet and accessories. Its external dimensions are 36 x 25 x 10.5cm. It can weigh up to 0.65kg.
This pocket-packed shoulder bag can surprisingly manage to squeeze in both an 11-inch laptop and tablet, as well as camera gear. Its padded kit compartment will not occupy space and stay flat when empty. Inside this camera bag are three snap-shut pouches, intended to grip a compact mirrorless camera or DSLR. This is perfect to be carried around the city, rather than in rugged landscapes. This is also a perfect companion when traveling by plane as it can piggy-back on rolling luggage at airports. It can be bought on Amazon for $95.99