• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Tips
  • History
  • Photographers
  • Gear
  • Locations
  • Presets

The Photo Argus

Photography Blog

45 Great Camera Bags for Every Budget

November 20, 2020 · Steph Nelson

A great camera bag is essential for every photographer, both professional and amateur. Even if you prefer only using a camera strap while out shooting, you need someplace safe to store your camera when you’re traveling between locations.

It can be hard to choose the right camera bag, though. There’s an incredible number of options out there. You can easily spend hours browsing bags and reading reviews – hours that could’ve been spent out shooting.

To save you time, we’ve narrowed down the options for you. Now, all you need to decide is your budget and preferred style. We’ve done the rest.

Choosing the Best Camera Bag

When choosing a bag, your most important decision will be what style of bag you want. There are five basic camera bag styles: holsters, compact shoulder bags, messenger bags, slings, and backpacks.

Next to style, you need to determine your budget. Camera bags range widely in price, from a mere $10 to over $250. Keep in mind that price and style are related. If your budget is $20 and you want a high-quality leather bag… You might need to reconsider your budget.

If you’ve already got a style and price tag in mind, jump down to the category that fits your interests:

  • Holsters
  • Compact Shoulder Bags
  • High-end Messenger Bags
  • Mid-range Messenger Bags
  • Budget Messenger Bags
  • Slings
  • High-end Backpacks
  • Mid-range Backpacks
  • Budget Backpacks

Otherwise, browse through them all to get a feel for what’s out there, and discover what appeals the most to you!

Holsters

Holsters are the smallest type of camera bag you can get. They’re designed to hold your camera, a few small items, and not much else. This minimalist approach works great if you’re staying close to home or have a second bag for everything else.

Ape Case

[Check Amazon Pricing | Check Adorama Pricing]
Ape Case Small SLR Holster Camera Bag

Case Logic
Case Logic DCB-304 Compact System/Hybrid Camera Case

AmazonBasics
AmazonBasics Holster Camera Case

Lowepro
lowepro holster

Think Tank
Think Tank Camera Holster

Compact Shoulder Bags

Slightly larger than holsters, compact shoulder bags give you more space while still remaining lightweight and minimalist – great for traveling. You can bring along an extra lens and notebook, for example, but not much else. They’re not as roomy as messenger bags, but then, they’re not as bulky either.

Altura Photo
Medium Camera Bag Case by Altura Photo

eCostConnection
Camera Equipment Bag / Case

BAGSMART
BAGSMART Compact Camera Shoulder Bag

BAGSMART
BAGSMART DSLR/SLR Camera Shoulder Bag Compact Gadget Bag

MegaGear
Megagear Genuine Leather Camera Messenger Bag

High-end Messenger Bags

Messenger bags are a favorite choice among many photographers. They’re stylish, convenient, and roomy enough to hold a laptop. They’re convertible, too; you can use them both as camera bags and as regular messenger bags. All you need to do is remove the padding for your camera.

They’re also great for urban trips. Because you can swing the bag from back to front, you can keep your gear secure when going through crowded areas. You just keep it facing forward with a hand cradling the bottom of the bag. Coincidentally, this is also a good setup for quick shots.

Messenger bags have an incredibly wide price range. You can get a basic one for under $25 or a luxurious one for over $600. If you can afford to go all out, the following bags (and brands) are among the best. Though they’re all over $150 and mostly over $200, you’ll get a bag that’s well-known for its style and quality.

Ona
ONA - The Bowery

Tenba
Tenba Messenger DNA 15 Camera and Laptop Bag

Peak Design
Peak Design 15" Everyday Messenger Bag

Billingham
Hadley Pro Shoulder Bag

Mid-range Messenger Bags

The following messenger bags are more modest than the high-end options, but they’re still quality purchases. They’re all under $130 – not quite luxury bags – yet they’re still built with premium-quality materials and tasteful style.

Think Tank Photo
Think Tank Photo Mirrorless Mover 30i Camera Bag

Purple Relic
Purple Relic Leather DSLR Camera Bag

ONA
ONA - The Bowery - Camera Messenger Bag

Vanguard
Vanguard Havana 38 Messenger Bag

MegaGear
MegaGear Torres Genuine Leather Camera Messenger Bag

Budget Messenger Bags

If you like to keep your purchases simple and cheap, here are five great messenger bags to choose from, all under $50.

S-Zone
S-ZONE Vintage Waterproof Canvas Leather Trim DSLR SLR Shockproof Camera Shoulder Messenger Bag

S-Zone
S-ZONE Vintage Canvas Genuine Leather Trim DSLR SLR Camera Shoulder Messenger Bag

AmazonBasics
AmazonBasics Large DSLR Gadget Bag

CADeN
CADeN Waterproof Canvas Camera Messenger Bag

Estarer
Estarer Camera Shoulder Bag

Slings

One problem with messenger bags is that they can get in the way, especially if you’re hiking or having an active photo shoot. One solution to this problem is getting a sling, which looks like a combination of a backpack and a messenger bag. It sits firmly against your back but with one strap, so you can still slide it around – albeit less easily than a messenger bag.

Most slings are between $30 and $60, though you can find high-end options, too, like the sleek Peak Design Everyday Sling.

Peak Design
peak design sling

CADeN
CADeN Camera Bag Sling Camera Case

MOSISO
mosiso sling camera bag

Baoluo
DSLR Camera Bag Waterproof Camera Sling Backpack

Altura Photo
Altura Photo Camera Sling Backpack

High-end Backpacks

Camera backpacks come in two designs: single-compartment and dual-compartment. Single-compartment backpacks are like regular backpacks, only with padded dividers for your gear. Dual-compartment backpacks allow you to separate your gear from the rest of your stuff, like your packed lunch or muddy shoes.

Typically, both options allow you to remove the dividers, so you can use the backpack for other purposes, too. However, some backpacks are designed to convert easily, while others are clearly camera backpacks.

Like messenger bags, backpacks have a wide range of prices. This difference is not necessarily related to quality; some backpacks cost more simply because they’re larger and more “rugged,” intended for outdoor use.

If all you want is a small, urban backpack, you can find excellent, high-quality bags for under $100. But if you’re planning to go trekking in the wilderness, you might want an “adventure backpack,” which will cost more.

The majority of high-end backpacks are built for adventurous, outdoor photographers. They’re perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor sports that require more supplies than just a camera. But even if you’re not an outdoor photographer, you may love the space and thoughtful design put into the following five bags, all over $200.

Think Tank Photo
Think Tank Photo Streetwalker Backpack

MindShift
Mindshift rotation180° 34L Horizon Camera Backpack

MindShift
MindShift Gear Backlight 26L Backpack

Peak Design
Peak Design Everyday Backpack

Lowepro
Lowepro Whistler BP 450 AW. XL Pro Grade Outdoor Adventure Camera Backpack

Mid-range Backpacks

Mid-range backpacks are like tamed-down adventure backpacks. They tend to be sturdier than budget backpacks, but they’re not as large or rugged as $200+ adventure backpacks. They’re great for short hiking trips and traveling, but they might not be well-suited for a week-long trek in the woods.

Then again, if you’re an outdoor photographer on a budget, you could possibly get by with one of these backpacks, priced between $75 and $130. You might need to limit the gear you’re carrying, but it could work.

TUBU
tubu camera backpack

Zecti
Zecti Camera Backpack

Manfrotto
Manfrotto Medium Backpack for DSLR Camera

Case Logic
Case Logic SLRC-206 SLR Camera

Incase
Incase Camera Pro Pack

Budget Backpacks

Not every photo shoot requires a tough backpack for hiking in the wilderness. Sometimes, a basic, comfortable backpack is enough. For simple outings with your camera, check out the following backpacks, all under $60.

Neewer
Neewer Camera Bag

Altura Photo
DSLR Camera and Mirrorless Backpack Bag by Altura Photo

USA Gear
Portable Camera Backpack for DSLR/SLR by USA Gear

GOgroove
GOgroove Full-Size DSLR Camera Backpack

USA Gear
USA GEAR Digital SLR Camera Backpack

Koolertron
Koolertron Professional Women Canvas Camera Case/Backpack

Filed Under: Gear

Sign Up for Weekly Updates!

Freebies From Our Partners

Free Off Camera Flash Tutorial

In this start-to-finish tutorial, Pye Jirsa shows you how to enhance existing light to simulate sunlight with off-camera flashes.

Free Engagement Photography Tutorial

Learn 10 simple things you can do to make each and every single one of your engagement photos extraordinary!

You may also like

  • Camera Neck Straps: Quality, Comfort, and Design
  • The Best Camera Straps Guide: Wrist, Hand, and Finger Straps
  • Camera Sling Straps, Two-Camera Harnesses, Camera…
  • Straps for Smartphones
  • 2019 Photography Challenge: 52+ Photography…

Primary Sidebar

Newsletter Signup

Popular Content

  • 100+ Free Photoshop Actions and Presets
  • 40 Beautiful Examples of Abstract Photography
  • 22 of the Most Famous Mountains in the World to Photograph
  • 30 Fantastic Examples of Fine Art Photography
  • 53 Unique Gifts for Photographers
  • 35 Superb Examples of Still Life Photography
  • 32 Weird and Wonderful Fungi Pictures
  • 40 Splendid Examples of Candid Photography
  • 60 Inspiring Examples of Black and White Photography
  • 40 Minimalist Photography Examples For Inspiration

Follow Us Online

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Workshops/Resources

Creative Photography 101 - $49 $79
creative photography 1010

Learn Creativity, Ditch the Expensive Gear!

Landscape Presets $29 $107
landscape presets

Support TPA

Support The Photo Argus by Shopping at our Affiliate Partners Below.

© Copyright The Photo Argus · Contact · About · Privacy Policy · Support