The advantages of having a backpack dedicated to your DSLR camera
For professional photographers, or just hobbyists who take their camera-gear everywhere they go, it’s no luxury to have a bag dedicated for that purpose.
A DSLR camera comes with a lot of accessories and they are fragile. One scratch on that lens and it is useless. Since replacing it is expensive, a protective bag is a very basic precaution.
Personally I think having a backpack makes more sense than one of those over the shoulder bags. Backpacks are better for your back and if you’re walking around looking for the perfect light and the most interesting view, you will be doing a lot of walking.
The advantage to bags dedicated to your camera is the custom-sized pockets for lenses, camera, tripod and other accessories. In many cases you can actually custom-size the main pockets yourself, so you don’t have to get a new bag, when you get a new camera. Though of course, if you’ve used it a lot, it may still need replacing.
So, it is clear – personally I would very much prefer a backpack for my camera and accessories. Alternatively, a rolling bag also works (I feature one below). However, when it comes to ready access to your camera, nothing beats an over-the-shoulder bag. So, below I feature all three kinds of camera bags. I started with the ones that also allow room for your laptop!
The bag for the real photographer: for DLSR and Laptop or Netbook
There really is only one great backpack that protects both your high end camera and your laptop while also being great for your back. It’s the Lowepro Fastpack 250.
Don’t you love it: it has pockets for your DSLR camera and accessories – including small pockets for memory cards. Nothing will ever get lost again!
D-SLR: Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera
Specifically designed as a multi-purpose bag to carry laptop, camera and more, this Kelly More bag is also available in Black, Grey and Brown.
Made from water-resistant man-made materials, the bag has two over the shoulder straps and a detachable padded messenger strap. One reviewer remarks that the bag is great for travelling and a photoshoot. Another uses it as a combined diaper AND camera bag!!
Depending on the color, Amazon Reviewers give this women’s camera bag and average rating of between 4.5 and 5 out of 5 stars.
Lowepro Fastpack 250
Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II Digital SLR Camera Case (Black)
In this case the image above really doesn’t say it all: this is a great bag for your camera and accessories, your laptop and still leaves room for food, drinks and iphone.
If you want to make and edit pictures on the go, in all kinds of places, you can’t do better than this bag. A multitude of protective internal pockets protect your D-SLR equipment and accessories from weather and bumps.
Of course the outer fabric is water resistant and tough.
Suitable for laptops up to 15.4″ Widescreen (which obviously includes a 11 and 13 inch laptop)
An even bigger backpack that holds your camera AND your laptop – fits up to a 17″ Widescreen
Larger to accommodate both your larger laptop and your camera. Perfect for when you are out on a shoot and want to get images loaded up to a social media site or to send to someone while away from home.
Lowepro Orion DayPack 200 – Gray
- 3 compartments to neatly organize and carry your camera plus accessories, MP3 player, and other personal accessories
- The shoulder harness is well padded and the back of the bag has and lumbar support with DryFlo Mesh, which makes this backpack comfortable to wear even when fully loaded.
- The NoDrop bottom compartment opens wide in a way that combines easy access with safety for your lenses and other expensive equipment.
The Cutest and Cheekiest Fashionable Women’s Camera Bags by Cosmos, Jill-E, and Kelly Moore
Are you looking for a stylish camera bag for either yourself or the woman photographer in your life? As with any bag, the ideal camera bag will be one that suits the purpose. Most women will be carrying more than just a camera (or two) in their camera bag, so they will need extra room for all those essentials that they just cannot do without.
The camera bag featured above is the Cameron Hobo SLR Camera Bag for Women Photographers available from Amazon.com.
Lifestyle will also need to be considered. Are you constantly on the move? Do you need to be able to literally just grab your camera bag and run? Do you need shoulder straps long enough to use the camera bag as a Messenger Bag or is just throwing over your shoulder enough?
Perhaps you take photos while hiking or walking over rugged terrain? Then a backpack may be best. Or perhaps you don’t want people to necessarily know you are carrying an expensive camera? So go for a style that looks more like a purse than a camera bag.
Here you will find a range stylish camera bags for women photographers, to suit various lifestyles and environments.
Funky camera bag that can be carried as Shoulder or Messenger Bag
Jill-e 769350 Nylon Camera Bag Small (Yellow)
This Lemon Yellow colored Women’s Camera Bag has a lot more room in it than you would think. The polka dot padded interior has adjustable velcro dividers allowing you to arrange your camera and accessories how you want.
There’s a netted interior pocket to make finding those small items, like memory cards, easy. The outside pockets fasten with magnetic clasps and provide lots of room for both camera and personal accessories, such as keys, wallet and cell phone.
This women’s camera bag can be used as a Shoulder Bag or converts into a Messenger Bag with the detachable padded shoulder strap.
Measures: 7″ x 8″ x 14″
Amazon reviewers give this Women’s SLR Camera Bag and average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars and it also qualifies for free shipping.
Rave reviews for this bag!
This quality, leather camera bag has extra padding inserts you can put around your camera and lenses for extra protection. The inside is fully adjustable and customizable, so you can arrange your cameras and equipment how you want.
Various pockets are provided for both camera and personal items and there’s a handy pocket at the back in which you can keep paperwork ready accessible.
There’s dual carry handles, plus a detachable shoulder strap.
Measures: 8″ x 9.5″ x 14″
Amazon Reviewers gave this Women’s Camera Bag an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Also has padded Laptop Sleeve
Available in red or black, this leather weatherproof camera bag has dual carrying handles, but also the bonus of a telescoping handle to convert it to a rolling camera bag. There’s even a separate padded laptop compartment that will take most 17″ laptops.
The roomy padded interior will hold multiple cameras, lenses and other equipment. The multiple pockets will house every professional and personal accessory you can think of.
Measures: 9″ x 15″ x 20″
Amazon Reviewers have awarded this large leather rolling camera bag an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars
Available in other colors
Also available in grey and black, this women’s camera bag by Kelly Moore is deceptively roomy. There’s two shoulder straps, with a 6.5″ drop, plus a detachable long messenger strap.
Made of water resistant, man-made materials.
Measures: 13.5″(L) x 7.5″(W) x 9″(H)
Amazon Reviewers give the grey version of this bag and average rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Specially designed for Women Photographers
Jill-e Designs Baroque Backpack for Camera (Black)
Designed to be just the right size for women photographers, this stylish camera backpack is made from durable, lightweight nylon. It has a top carrying handle, a padded interior and hook and loop dividers.
The interior has Velcro dividers to allow for customization to help you store your equipment exactly how you like it.
The front pocket is secured with a zipper and flap closure, the side pocket with a hook and loop flap and there’s a side mesh pocket with a drawstring closure.
An additional panel is designed to hold pens, pencils and business cards.
Measures: 13.0″ x 10.5″ x 5.25″
Amazon Reviewers gave this bag an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars.