So, you want to find the best camera bag for you, and you’ve just realised that there are thousands out there and see that there are different designs, brands and sizes. Now you’re more So, you’re trying to find the best camera bag for you, and you’ve just realised that there are thousands out there! Different designs, different brands, different sizes, different prices etc. Now you’re more confused than ever. Well, in this blog I’ll teach you how to choose the best camera bag for ‘you’. We’ll be looking at various types, brands and price points for you to find the options that work for you.

Before you buy a camera bag, you need to answer the questions below. This will effectively teach you how to choose the best camera bag for you.

You’ll find a link to these products at the end of this blog.

What is a camera bag for?

Firstly, we’ll tackle the obvious – what is the purpose of a camera bag? It’s to keep your kit safe as you go out and shoot, and to keep it dry (we’ll cover this in more detail later.)

Get access to ALL our online courses - 1000’s of videos, worksheets, critiques of students work, personalised support and much more with our monthly membership.

get unlimited access to all our courses here

What type of camera bag do you need?

Everybody has different needs when it comes to camera bags, but it basically breaks down into two very simple things:

1. Comfort – you want it to be as comfortable as possible

2. Size – You want it to fit everything you need correctly

Firstly, figure out the kit you’ve got and then choose a size that is a little bit bigger than your kit size. For example, you’ll see product pages with descriptions such as “fits one camera body and two lenses”. If that is your kit, you want to get a bag that can carry more, so that it will be suitable as your kit grows.

It’s important to get this balance right, as you want a bag that has enough space to grow into, but not too much space so it’s too big to carry around. So, go for a bag that has a little bit more extra space than the kit you currently have.

What is your kit type?

Do you have a DLSR? Do you have a mirrorless camera?

Most people have the mirrorless system these days, but there is still an argument to be made for the DLSR as it’s cheaper and still a well-made option. If you’re shooting with a DSLR, you’re going to need a slightly bigger camera bag as the bodies and lenses for these cameras are larger than the mirrorless system.

Find out more on DSLRs and Mirrorless here.

Next, what is your sensor size?

Are you using a full frame kit? An APS-C or Micro 4:3 kit? A bigger sensor means a bigger camera body, bigger lenses and a heavier kit overall so this is important to consider when thinking about how much space you need. The size of your bag will also be dictated by the type of sensor that you go for.

If you’re not too sure what a full frame or aps-c or Micro 4:3 sensor is, check out our full tutorial here.

The essentials of a camera bag

attaching a tripod to a camera bag — Tripod being attached to a camera bag.

Tripod holder

This is a part of a camera bag that is designed to hold a tripod. They come in different places on different bags and are essential if you need to take a tripod on your travels.

Compartments

You need spots to hold all the different tools you need as a photographer like air blowers, camera cloths, multi tools, a torch etc.

Something that is not essential, but really handy to have is a laptop or tablet compartment – this is only essential for those that travel around with these as part of their kit.

rain cover on a camera bag — A rain cover for your camera bag is a must-have!

A Rain Cover

You may well think to yourself that these camera bags are waterproof, and they are to a certain extent – until you encounter heavy rain. Most good bags that you buy today, will come with their own rain cover but just double check that before you buy. Some have them built into the bag and some come separately. All you do, when it starts to rain, is put the cover over the top of your bag.

Types of camera bags

There are many different types of camera bags, and each one has its pros and cons, but here you are mainly thinking about the comfort of the bag and the ease of access as you’re out on a shoot.

The main types of bags are:

Over the shoulder camera bag: These go over your shoulder and hang around your hip.

Rucksack camera bag: This type goes over your shoulders and sits on your back. The rucksack bags tend to have another strap that goes around your waist and chest area for additional support and comfort.

Small bags: Usually fit one camera.

We’ll also have a look at front opening bags, back opening bags, side opening bags – all these things you must consider when you’re looking for a new camera bag!

want 10% off your first course? click here

The small camera bag

small single camera bag — Small single camera bag.

This one is a budget model, and it holds one camera and lens. It’s perfect if you’re just going out for the day with one camera.

The over the shoulder bag

The next style is the over-the-shoulder bag. I’ve got two options here, the Lowepro bag, which is currently full of my canon gear, the body, the lenses, a flash gun and accessories, and there’s plenty of space for it – it’s a big bag. It’s also very robust. These types of bags are easy access and hold lots of gear but are not that comfortable if you are walking around all day.

The other version of the over the shoulder bag that we’ll be looking at is a Billingham bag. This brand is known for being extremely good quality, well-made and they’re British made too. They will last forever but are quite expensive. This is a smaller bag, and I use it quite a lot. You can fit your camera in there with another lens and a bottle of water and comfortably go around London for the day shooting.

Rucksack Type

Rucksack camera bags are the most popular type of camera bag, and in my opinion, this is because they’re the most comfortable to use. They just pop onto your back and then you’re off. Let’s look at a few examples.

The Lowepro BP 350 AWII; This bag I’ve had a long time and it’s been all over the world with me. It’s a bit on the bigger side of camera bags (they do come even bigger!) and is probably as big as we need as we use an APS-C mirrorless system when we’re out filming.

In here, we’ve had 3 bodies, loads of lenses, filters, accessories and then in the front there’s a laptop and tablet compartment – it’s an overall neat package that you can pack a lot of gear into. This bag was purchased as it’s the right size to go on a plane as cabin luggage, so if you travel a lot with your camera, that is something to consider! This model also has an in-built rain cover that can be tucked away at the bottom. It also has a tripod holder at each side of the bag.

Next up is the Tamrac bag – it’s a very robust and big bag that fits loads of kit – even more so than the Lowepro. This camera bag comes with its rain cover as a separate. The way you store your tripod on this bag is a little different – you just wedge it into the slots – and it works quite well!

Going down in size now, we’ve got two bags from ThinkTankPhoto. These are really good quality bags and here we have the Mirrorless Mover and the Backlight Sprint. These bags are a little bit smaller, but they’re perfect for one/two bodies and two/three lenses. You may even be able to get more in the mirrorless mover as it’s a little bigger.

In terms of functional design, there are a couple of differences between these two bags that would affect your choice. The mirrorless mover is a front opening bag, and the Backlight sprint is a back opening camera bag.

The more safety conscious photographers may lean more towards a back opening bag as no one will be able to unzip it from behind while you’re out and about. Whereas a front opening back easier to access.

Both these rucksacks have a tripod holder which you can have on either the left or the right of the bag.

Another feature of the mirrorless mover is that there’s a pocket for your laptop or tablet at the front.

The next one is the K&F Concept backpack – this is more of a budget option, but still well made. The difference between this backpack and the two others from thinktank is that there are more ways to access the contents. You’ve got an opening at the top, the two sides, the back and the front of this bag. This comes in handy for those that are travelling around with things other than cameras and they want to separate everything into different compartments.

Brand quality of camera bags

With camera bags, I’m of the opinion that paying a little bit more for better quality is best. This is because a camera bag will be you a long time, so you want the best quality within your budget.

To demonstrate this, I have an Amazon basics camera bag (£30) next to a ThinkTank Backlight bag (£126). On the surface, they look similar. The amazon basics bag is in no way bad, it does the job it was intended. However, when you start to look closer between the bags you can start to see the difference in quality in the builds of each bag. For example, the padding seems much more robust on the ThinkTank bag, and the zips are bigger and thicker. This bag will stand the test of time; the Amazon basics may not last as long. Quite simply, you get what you pay for when it comes to camera bags.

Marc’s picks for the best camera bag

Lowepro BP 350 AW2 camera bag

This is the one that I use the most. It goes everywhere with us when we are filming our photography courses. I can fit nearly all our equipment in this bag (we do also bring along the Tamrac for overflow!). This is mainly because kit sizes have shrunk over the years. If you look at this bag, you wouldn’t think that it’s been up and down mountains, in and out of planes, chucked in and out of the boot of car hundreds of times, you’d just think it were a few weeks old. This is the sign of a good bag. I also like the way that this goes on a plane as cabin luggage without anyone moaning at you!

Billingham camera Bag

This bag was given to me, but I’ve used it so much since I received it! It’s like my holiday camera bag or when I’m out with the family. I can have it over my shoulder easily and, as I’m not on a professional shoot, so I don’t need much kit, just a camera body, lens, a battery and whatever else that I need to put in there. I can also chuck my other stuff in there as I’m out and about. And again, I’ve used this bag loads and you’d think that this was brand new!

ThinkTank Mirrorless Mover camera bag

This bag was sent to us by ThinkTankPhoto but I can see this becoming a new favourite. It’s really compact, and you can get loads in it. I have been looking for a bag like that for long time.

Something you can see with both this one and the Lowepro one, is that they’re not too complex to use and don’t have too many pockets. This is also a plus for me!

Conclusion

Finding the right camera bag is all about understanding your specific needs and preferences. Answer the questions above and you will be well on your way to choosing the best camera bag for you.

Whether you’re looking for comfort, space, or the best protection for your gear, there’s a camera bag out there that fits perfectly with your style of shooting. Remember to consider the size of your kit, your shooting habits, and your travel needs. Whether you're a casual photographer or a seasoned pro, investing in a durable, well-designed camera bag will not only keep your gear safe but also make your shooting experience more enjoyable and efficient. So, take your time, weigh your options, and choose a bag that works for you – after all, it's something you'll be relying on for years to come.

Looking to buy any of these bags?

If you’re looking to buy any of these bags, we recommend using Wex Photo Video here.

Like this? - Check out more free tutorials below

I hope you enjoyed this blog about choosing the best camera bag for you. If you did, please leave us a comment and support us by sharing it with your friends and subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page for more.

We also have an excellent learning community on social media so please join us there as well.

Thanks for watching and remember – Learn more at The School of Photography.

About the author

Hi, I’m Marc Newton and I’m a photographer, educational speaker, author, teacher of photography and the founder of The School of Photography. Follow my personal work on Facebook, Instagram.

The Best Camera Bag - Find The Right One For You