Looking for the best camera bag? Then you've come to the right place – we've tested dozens of bags in all shapes and sizes, covering all budgets, gear inventory and carrying needs.
If you're style conscious then the Billingham Hadley range is a solid choice, while Peak Design's Everyday Messenger is an excellent day bag for those that don't have a lot of kit to carry. If you need the best possible protection then a Pelicase is the ticket, while the cavernous Mindshift Gear Backlight will swallow up plenty of gear for those setting out for a heavy day of photography.
Many of the latest designs of shoulder bags, sling bags, and backpacks include padded dividers that protect your gear and enable you to split the space, so you can mix and match photo gear with your daily essentials, which is particularly handy if you're a student who needs to carry your lunch and laptop too.
Some options also have dedicated pockets for either your tablet or laptop, as well as separate compartments for anything from a mobile phone and wallet, to a packed lunch. You’ll often find a little compartment on the side, to hold a water bottle, and maybe even a tethering system to attach a tripod. We've included our favorite choices that cover a range of needs.
Best camera bags in 2024
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Billingham is known for its premium, classy camera bags, and the Hadley Pro is a gorgeous example. Though it's a shoulder bag it can take quite a bit of kit. If you have a mind to, you can squeeze in a full-frame Mirrorless body with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom (without tripod collar), and a flashgun. You may not want to (think of your shoulder!) but you can.
Of course, if you are carrying a lot of kit, the optional shoulder pad will be worth the investment to ease the weight a little, and there are also additional 'AVEA' side pockets available. FYI, that is real leather on the straps, so vegans and animal lovers will want to steer clear of this one.
If you need even more space, then the Hadley One is a larger offering, while the tiny Billingham's 72 Camera bag is your choice for a single mirrorless camera with lens.
Though it might seem pretty pricey, the Everyday Messenger is bristling with clever touches and is well worth the outlay. A spring-loaded flap-catch with four fastening points is both secure and easy to use, letting the bag expand or contract to suit varying loads. The flap also has a zippered top passthrough for even easier access. There are slots for a 13-inch laptop and tablet, plus you can attach a tripod on top. Rather than using typical foam partitions, the main section contains innovative dividers that snap around and over individual items. Everything’s supported by a wide and supple shoulder strap, and we also like the stabilizing waist strap that prevents the bag from bouncing as you stride. Beautiful build quality and attention to detail seals the deal.
Read our in-depth review Peak Design Everyday Messenger 13 V2
While it's fairly slim, this backpack can nevertheless hold one or two DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, both with attached lenses, plus up to three additional lenses. There are access points to the cameras at the top and on both sides, so it’s quick and easy to get at what you need. The whole camera compartment can also be opened via a rear zipper, after laying the bag down on its front and angling the shoulder straps out of the way. The backpack also features a 13-inch laptop compartment plus two internal zippered pockets for accessories. Two external pockets are fitted but they’re very small and thin. Build quality is up to Lowepro’s usual high standards, and a range of modular accessories is available too.
This is the mid-sized option in Tenba’s range of Axis Tactical backpacks, ideal for holding one or two cameras and six to eight lenses. In addition to the main compartment, there’s a separate, full-height front compartment with its own zipper. An internal sleeve is also fitted that can accommodate a 17-inch laptop. Full access to the main compartment is via the rear but, unusually for this type of design, there’s no need to fold the shoulder straps back out of the way before opening the zipper. There are also zippered access flaps on the top and on the lower left-hand side, enabling quick and easy access to two cameras with attached lenses. The harness and shoulder straps are particularly comfortable and breathable, with an excellent range of adjustments. The same is true of the sternum and waist strap, the latter being completely removable.
It’s the numerous pockets and Lowepro’s Quick Shelf system that differentiates this bag from its peers. While there’s ample space on the inside for moderate DSLR kits, stretch pockets on the front, two side flaps, and even each shoulder strap let you carry heaps more. The QuickShelf system is based around stiff dividers that keep everything firmly in place, while the huge D-rings on the zips make opening them effortless. Our only reservation is the slight lack of padding towards the top of the laptop compartment, which makes the laptop feel a little exposed – but if your machine measures less than 15 inches, this won’t be an issue.
Typically slung over one shoulder, this is the larger of Mindshift’s two PhotoCross sling bags, able to hold a DSLR and ‘trinity’ wide-angle, standard, and telephoto f/2.8 lenses. Construction quality is very good, with tough water-resistant external material and zippers, although the inner dividers are relatively thin. As with other sling bags, you can spin it around on your shoulder to gain access to your camera without the need to take the bag off and lay it on the ground. And if you need greater stability when you’re negotiating tricky terrain, there’s a pull-out waist strap to keep the bag firmly fixed in place.
Easy on the eye and with masses of space on the inside, this rucksack/sling hybrid provides a home for a DSLR, 3-4 lenses, a 13.3-inch laptop, and a tripod around the front, together with extra space for smaller essentials. You can access your kit from the left or right sides, and bright yellow padding is generous throughout, with a special scratch and water-resistant base to keep everything safe from harm. The laptop compartment might be a bit small for some, and you can get a bit sweaty as the back isn’t as cleverly contoured as the Lowepro Photo Active (see above). Then again, this one is currently less than half the price, making it a real bargain.
Perhaps not the sexiest shoulder bag around, but if you’re happy to overlook that you’ll love what this bag offers. There’s enough space for a mid-range mirrorless camera and mounted lens, plus a further optic and a small tablet, while two clasps and plenty of Velcro keep everything secure. Expandable pockets on the outside provide a home to batteries or even a small bottle of sunblock, while a zipped pocket on the front of the lid is joined by a further zipped pocket on the back. Build quality is high and the pad on the shoulder strap is a bonus, plus it can be removed if not wanted. While small in size and super light, it feels very well put together and is comfortable on the shoulder. For holidays and traveling with just a modest kit, this would be a fine option.
A problem many photo backpacks have is that you need to take them off and lay them down on the ground to access your camera gear. It can be a pain in dirty or wet conditions, as the side you lay on the ground is also the one you wear against your back. This bag solves the problem by having the main flap at the rear, which also boosts security. Also, by slipping the main straps off your shoulders, you can swivel the bag around on its waist strap, open the main flap and keep it raised by looping the fitted elastic cord around your neck. This makes it easy to retrieve your kit or change lenses on your camera while having the open backpack neatly secured at a comfortable working height. Additional front pockets are surprisingly capacious, able to stow lots of additional items.
Impeccably turned out in carbon fibre patterned fine-grain Italian leather and weather-resistant nylon, this backpack has the high-quality look and feel that you’d expect from Gitzo. The main compartment is split into upper and lower sections, the bottom of which has a removable camera insert that can accommodate a full-frame DSLR with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens attached, plus another couple of lenses. You can access camera gear from either side of the backpack, while the separate section that forms the top half of the bag is ideal for stowing daily essentials. There’s also a generously proportioned compartment at the rear for a 15-inch laptop.
Ideal for professional photographers or anyone flying off on a landscape photography expedition, a safari or even just storing your kit when it's not in use, you won't find a better solution than the Peli 1510 Protector Case. It's not just the protection it provides that makes it a great buy – the ease with which you can organize and access your camera kit on location makes it incredibly useful. It's a little heavy and bulky, but it's worth it for the protection it provides.
Read our in-depth Peli 1510 Protector Case review
Lowepro’s Toploader Zoom series of camera holsters are available in no less than five different sizes. The smallest ‘45’ model can accommodate a mirrorless camera or small DSLR with a kit standard zoom, whereas the ‘50’ can hold a full-frame DSLR with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. The largest Pro 70 and Pro 75 options are big enough to take a pro-grade DSLR with integral battery grip, plus an attached 24-70mm f/2.8 or 70-200mm f/2.8 lens respectively, and a chest harness is available as an optional extra. The two smallest options are available in a choice of black or ‘galaxy blue’, and all of the bags in the range are of the ‘all-weather’ variety. There’s a removable shoulder strap, a grab handle on top, and a belt loop around the back. The bag also features an external pocket on the front, plus an additional internal pocket in the top flap.
If you're going to be traveling a lot with you're camera, then the Hexad Access Duffel is the answer. Featuring a clamshell, one half of the bag can be set aside for clothes and other travel essentials, while the other half is for photo gear, with dual side-access pockets. These can accommodate Wandrd's medium camera cubes (sold separately) which offer protection for your kit. If you just want to use one, you've got even more space for day-to-day stuff. There's also a padded laptop sleeve, stowable backpack straps, and a handy expandable laundry pocket. Then there are the weather-sealed materials used, while the overall finish is excellent. Perfect if you're going to be on a city break and want to travel light.
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