Which camera bag should you choose, and how?

You’ve just bought a new camera, and now you need a camera bag. That’s often where things get a little tricky: which camera bag should you choose, and how do you choose the right one? Don’t panic! In this article, I’ll help you make sense of it all. From defining your needs to comparing the different types of bags, selection criteria, and my own recommendations, you’ll have everything you need to find the perfect camera bag!

If you’re interested in photo accessories, you can also read our complete guide to camera lens filters. It covers everything you need to know about them. Since then, we’ve also written an article about portable photo printers that you can easily slip into your pocket or a small camera bag!

To choose the right camera bag, you first need to define your needs. The purpose of your bag is the first question to ask yourself. In other words, think about:

• whether you need to carry a lot of gear, and what type (camera, personal items, work equipment, etc.);
• whether you usually go on long walks in nature with your gear, or use it more in the city;
• whether easy and/or quick access to your camera and accessories is essential (for spontaneous shots, for example);
• whether you’ll use it frequently or only occasionally.

All these questions will shape your future purchase.

Well, it depends on the gear you already have, but also on the gear you may need in the future. Let me explain: you may currently own one camera and two lenses, but who’s to say you won’t buy another camera and three more lenses in the near future? Your camera bag needs to keep up if you don’t want to replace it too quickly. But be careful: the bigger the bag, the heavier it gets. So it’s up to you to decide how much you want to plan ahead!

When you’re traveling, or even heading out for the day, there’s often more than just camera gear to carry. A phone, wallet, water bottle, and sometimes even a laptop may need to fit inside.

Some bags are designed to carry personal belongings alongside your camera equipment and accessories (such as tripods).

It’s an important point to keep in mind when choosing your camera bag.

The conditions you shoot in, and especially the places where you take photos, will play a role in choosing how you carry your camera gear.

You won’t have the same needs if you’re shooting in the city or in the rainforest. In the first case, a discreet bag (to avoid drawing too much attention) is usually the best choice. In the second, a backpack will often make more sense: it’s more comfortable, better suited to tougher conditions, and usually better padded to protect your gear from shocks.

Are you the kind of person who pulls out your camera faster than your shadow, or are you more likely to use it once or twice a year? If your camera bag is going to get a lot of use, it’s worth choosing a quality product with hard-wearing materials, durable zippers, and solid finishes.

But just because you only use your camera occasionally doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself!

The backpack has many advantages and remains one of my favorite ways to carry camera gear. Here’s why:

• It spreads the load across your shoulders and lower back, making it much more comfortable to carry. You can wear it for several hours without too much trouble, which makes it ideal for hiking enthusiasts like me.
• It offers plenty of storage space, so you can carry your camera gear and, depending on the model, even a laptop or other equipment.
• Since there are so many models on the market, you can usually find one that suits your body type and intended use.

On the downside, a backpack can become quite heavy when overloaded. Access to your gear is not always easy either. With rear-access bags, you often have to take the bag off, put it on the ground, and open the back pockets to reach your camera and accessories. That can be impractical at times.

The shoulder bag is compact, space-saving, and gives you quick, easy access to your gear, unlike a backpack. Its light weight and small size make it ideal for urban photography. On public transportation or in the streets of a big city, you’ll feel much more comfortable with a shoulder bag than with a suitcase!

However, it’s not the best choice if you need to carry it for long periods, since all the weight rests on one shoulder. It can start to feel heavy quickly, even when it isn’t fully loaded! It also won’t let you carry a lot of gear or cameras with very large or long lenses.

A sling bag sits somewhere between a backpack and a shoulder bag: you wear it on your back, but it has only one strap. It offers some of the advantages of both:

• comfort: the weight is distributed better than with a shoulder bag (although it still rests on one shoulder, so it can become tiring over time);
• practicality: it is lightweight, compact, and lets you access your gear in just a few seconds by swinging the bag around to the front.

Its main drawback is limited capacity: you won’t be able to carry a lot of equipment.

Your gear will be well protected in a roller case, especially in damp conditions. It’s ideal if you want to avoid damaging your camera equipment when traveling by plane, train, or bus. Another advantage is that it can carry a lot of gear. But it isn’t practical for everyday use: even though the wheels spare you from carrying it, it remains heavy, bulky, and of course completely unsuitable for hiking. That’s why I don’t recommend it for daily use.

If you do choose a case, you’ll probably need to complement it with a backpack, shoulder bag, or sling bag.

The size of your camera bag will depend on your gear. Before buying one, you should ask yourself a few questions. Will you be carrying several cameras, lenses, filters, and other accessories? Do you own telephoto lenses? Do you use a tripod? Do you need extra space for things other than photo gear, such as water or food? In my opinion, that last point is very important. If you start carrying several bags, you risk overloading yourself. Always put practicality first!

This criterion is essential because you may end up carrying your camera bag for hours, and the goal is not to wear yourself out. Photography should remain a pleasure, not a burden. Of course, the larger the bag, the more tempting it is to load it up. Your camera gear will already add weight, so choose a lightweight bag whenever you can!

We already touched on comfort above when looking at the different types of bags. A bag worn on both shoulders will be more comfortable over time than a shoulder bag or sling bag. The wider the shoulder straps, the more comfortable the bag will feel, because the weight is spread more evenly across your shoulders.

Some bags are specifically designed for carrying camera equipment. For example, you’ll find photo bags with several compartments and openings at the front, top, or side:

• for the camera body
• for lenses
• for filters and other small accessories
• possibly for a second camera body

These compartments (often foam dividers attached with Velcro) let you store your gear securely, access it easily, and protect each item from knocks and rubbing. I find a compartmentalized camera bag essential.

I’m sure you’ll agree with me: you need a quality bag! Weather conditions are not always favorable, your bag may take a beating during transport or excursions, and comfort should always remain a priority. Here are the main elements to look at:

• interior padding: it should be thick, and the internal dividers should stay firmly in place. This prevents your gear from moving around inside the bag and getting damaged.
• seams: check that they are strong, because a loose seam can let water into your bag.
• zippers: make sure they are large and durable enough for long-term use, as you’ll be opening and closing them dozens of times. Your bag won’t be much use if you can no longer open or close it properly.
• shoulder straps or carrying straps: they should be padded and non-slip.
• bottom of the bag: make sure the lining is rubberized, or possibly made from polyester fabric, and that it is waterproof and resistant, because you’ll often have to put the bag down on wet or dirty ground.
• waist belt (if applicable): it should be wide and easy to adjust for extra comfort. It also helps distribute the weight of the bag.

Depending on your needs and how you use your gear and camera bag, you may also want to consider accessories such as:

• rain cover: it may come with the bag or be sold separately. Make sure it’s easy to use and quick to put on in bad weather.
• tripod holder: you may be thinking that you don’t use a tripod, and I’d say: not yet! It’s always worth thinking ahead.

It would be a shame to miss out on this accessory, as it lets you carry a tripod in a much more practical and comfortable way.

Here are a few camera bag recommendations. Of course, I’ve only selected a handful of models, so you’ll still need to adjust your choice according to your needs and budget.

This bag combines quality, durability, and practicality. It also comes with a protective cover, a tripod module, and even a bottle holder. You can also find other great camera backpacks via this link.

Its main advantage? Its low weight (less than 2 kg) combined with useful dimensions. The bag also offers plenty of storage space for your camera gear!

Although this is a shoulder bag, it has several compartments and pockets for your camera gear and other accessories. A padded insert is specifically designed for your camera and can be accessed from the top, without having to open the entire bag. You can find more shoulder bags at this link.

Compact yet practical, this is an ideal bag for carrying a DSLR and two lenses. Peak Design is a highly reputable brand, and this shoulder case offers excellent quality.

If you need to buy a camera trolley, this is the one I’d recommend. This 2-in-1 design gives you both a backpack with a rain cover and a wheeled case. A great compromise!

I also found some very good products through this link.

We’ve reached the end of this article on camera bags. I hope you found it comprehensive and that it helps you choose your future travel companion! And don’t forget: take the time to think carefully before buying, because your bag will be the guardian of all your camera gear. So it matters! If you want to go further, I invite you to read our complete article on photo accessories for travel.

See you soon,

Written by Sylvain PONS

I've been passionate about photography since 2010, learning as I went along. Today, I dedicate myself to guiding others in their choice of camera gear and sharing a variety of tips to improve their photography skills.

Despite our care, a mistake may have slipped into this article. If you find any, please don't hesitate to let us know so we can correct it as soon as possible and keep our information up-to-date!