When you have to lug around a DSLR and multiple lenses, there aren’t that many stylish options—or so you might think. But dig a little deeper and you may be surprised at the attractive-yet-protective camera bags you can take along on your next trip.
| Ranking | Bag | Price | # of Lenses It Holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Camera Bag for Multiple Lenses | Hanover Bag from Jo Totes | $$ | 4 |
| Best Water Resistant Camera Bag | Brixton from ONA | $$$ | 2-3 |
| Best Compact Camera Bag | Drew-Roma Neoprene Camera Bag | $ | 1-2 |
| Best Carry-All Camera Bag | ONA Capri II | $$$$$ | 3 |
| Most Fashionable Camera Bag | Claremont Leather Camera Bag | $$$$$ | 1 |
| Best Lightweight Camera Bag | Le Foulonné Leather Camera Crossbody Bag | $$$$$ | n/a |
| Best Heavy Duty Camera Bag | The Runner from Brevite | $$ | 2-3 |
| Best Budget Camera Bag | BAGSMART Camera Bag | $ | 1-2 |
| Best Colorful Camera Bag | Finn Citron-Stripe Camera Bag from Cynthia Rowley | $$ | 1 |
| Best Camera Bag for Parents | Kelly Moore Woodstock 3.0 Eco Leather Alternative Backpack | $$$ | 3 |
| Best Camera Bag for Travel | WANDRD Lite Photography Bag | $$$ | 5 |
| Best Sling Camera Bag | Rogue 9L Sling | $$ | 1-2 |
| Best Rolling Camera Bag | Manfrotto Manhattan Runner-50 Camera Roller Bag | $$$$ | 3-4 |
A Camera Bag for Multiple Lenses
The Hanover bag from Jo Totes is perfect for carrying around all of your lenses. It’s made from water-resistant nylon and black leather. The camera insert is removable, making the $119 bag an extra good investment because you can also carry it like an everyday purse.
Top Features: Removable shoulder strap, shoulder pad, camera insert, and crossbody straps. Zips close and also can fit a 13″ laptop.
A Water-Resistant Camera Bag
The Brixton from ONA is made of water-resistant waxed canvas and leather. It can fit up to three lenses and a 13″ laptop and has four removable dividers so you can customize the bag to fit your specific camera needs. At $289, it’s on the expensive side, but it’s a great investment for quality and size.
Top Features: Unique handcrafted quality and antique brass tuck-clasp closure. Side weather flaps provide extra protection.
A Compact Camera Bag
The Drew-Roma Neoprene Camera Bag from Haute Shore is compact for smaller cameras or for when you’re traveling without lenses. The exterior zipper pocket holds separate items that could scratch your camera, like keys and cards.
Top Features: The neoprene material and extendable strap. It’s a top-quality bag at $46.95 with metal hardware, zipper closure, and decorative accents.
A Carry-All Camera Bag
The stylish Capri tote is a perfect carry-all if you’re traveling with a lot of personal items. It can fit up to three lenses, a tablet or 11″ laptop, and smaller personal items. At $269 from ONA, it’s on the more expensive side–but it’s also made of handcrafted waxed canvas and leather.
Top Features: The leather handles, zip closure, and detachable crossbody strap.
A Camera Bag for a Luxe Look
The Claremont Leather Camera Bag from Lo & Sons is designed specifically to fit a DSLR with extra internal padding for protection. It can also fit a small extra lens and has a separate back zipper pocket, two front pockets for memory cards, and a hanging SD memory card holder.
Top Features: While the leather material puts it at a $300 price tag, the leather and design make it the ultimate camera bag for the fashion-conscious traveler.
A Lightweight Camera Bag
Longchamps’s Le Foulonné Leather Camera Crossbody Bag is the perfect compact camera bag for easy access. Its zip-top closure allows you to pull out your camera for that perfect shot quickly.
Top Features: The leather exterior and adjustable strap are nice features and the no-frills design makes it easy to take only what you need and keep it organized.
A Heavy-Duty Camera Bag
While stylish over-the-shoulder camera bags are great for travel, sometimes you need something a little heartier. Function meets fashion in The Runner from Brevite, a camera backpack that’s designed to carry all of your gear without weighing your down.
Top Features: Its spacious design (17″ x 11″ x 5.5″) and segmented equipment compartment keep your gear organized and safe.
An Inexpensive Camera Bag Option
This compact crossbody from Bagsmart is an inexpensive option at under $35. It has a separate interior pocket and it would fit a DSLR comfortably.
Top Features: There are two removable padded dividers that allow you to customize interior space for different sizes of camera equipment.
A Colorful Camera Bag
The Finn Citron-Stripe Camera Bag from Cynthia Rowley is a colorful fashion choice if you’re looking to make a statement. The bag allows for easy camera access with the zip-top closure, and its lambskin material and twill lining are good protective fabrics for your camera.
Top Features: The two separate pockets are great for organizing your personal items, lenses, and camera body.
A Camera Bag for Parents
Let’s face it: moms have enough to think about when running out the door. Parents who love photography not only need a bag to keep their cameras but also for all of the other gear that comes with having kids. The Kelly Moore Woodstock 3.0 Eco Leather Alternative Backpack has a removable padded basket for all of your camera gear, a divider that goes on top to keep your camera parts separate from any other gear you need to bring along.
Top Features: The lower zipper, allows for easy access to your camera parts without having to dig through the rest of the bag.
A Camera Bag for Travel
This WANDRD Lite Photography Bag is the ultimate personal item for anyone flying with their camera gear. It has a side pocket for easy access, an interior laptop sleeve, water bottle/tripod pocket, and a spacious interior for any other accessories you want to pack.
Top Features: Interior pockets help with ultimate organization.
A Sling Camera Bag
The Rogue 9L Sling is a compact, lightweight camera bag that may seem small, but has plenty of interior organization, and a large main compartment. It’s weather resistant, and will even fit a 15-inch laptop.
Top Features: It’s convertible! You can wear it as a sling, a messenger bag, or around your waist.
A Rolling Camera Bag
Camera equipment can get heavy, and the ease of a rolling bag like the Manfrotto Manhattan Runner-50 Camera Roller Bag makes carting your camera and equipment around easier than ever. It has space for one DSLR camera with a 70/200mm lens attached plus 3-4 extra lenses, as well as room for a laptop.
Top Features: For added protection, it comes with a separate rain cover for inclement weather.
FAQ
Which Camera Bag is for Me?
This depends on what you plan on using your camera bag for, and how concerned you are about its look. If you are all about fashion, then the Claremont Leather Camera Bag or the Capri II from Ona are your best choices. Both look more like a purse than like a camera bag. If you are all about functionality, The Runner from Brevite or the Manfrotto Manhattan Runner-50 Camera Roller Bag will be best, as they are heavy-duty, and will hold all of your gear.
Can I Bring my Camera Bag on An Airplane?
As long as your camera bag fits the carry-on requirements of the airline you are flying, you can bring it! If you are going to keep your camera in your checked luggage, be aware that cameras with lithium batteries must be in your carry-on, as they can explode if not in the pressurized cabin.
Do I Really Need a Camera Bag?
Cameras are not cheap, so you should protect them as best you can, and a camera bag is a great way to do so. Not only will a camera bag keep your gear organized, but it will also keep your camera safe.
What Should I Keep in My Camera Bag?
It is up to you, depending on what you are planning on taking pictures of, and what type of gear you like to use. Some items you may want to keep in it are:
- Camera
- Lenses
- Spare Batteries
- Memory Cards
- Tripod
- Rain Cover
- Flash
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
- Laptop/Tablet
Megan Johnson contributed to this story.
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