Are you seeking the best camera backpacks for photographers? We travel with an arsenal of photography equipment that consists of several cameras, lenses, a drone, and a tripod. However, there are many risks with all that gear, so a reliable camera and lens backpack is critical.
How do you expect to carry around several thousand dollars worth of heavy equipment up steep mountain paths and through humid jungles? In cases such as this, your simple run-of-the-mill backpack does not cut it.
The way to protect your camera and accessories safe and sound is to buy yourself a backpack designed for photographers. The best part is these backpacks can often do far more than keep your camera and lenses safe. In this post, we break down the best camera backpacks suited for every kind of photographer.
The Best Camera Backpacks for Photographers
LowePro Fastpack BP250 AW II
Technical Specs: Price: $90 | Weight: 4 lbs | Material: Nylon | Size: 19.4 x 11.9 x 3.9″
Pros
- Value
- Level of Protection
- Storage Compartments
- Laptop Sleeve
- Rainfly
- Tripod Pocket/Strap
Cons
- Mid Range Quality
- Limited Storage Capacity
- Top Section Feels Cavernous
This camera and lens backpack is of tremendous value and one of my favorite backpacks for photographers. The camera bag packs a punch with the number of features included in it. We had this bag for years before just recently upgrading to the more robust LowePro Whistler.
The LowePro Fastpack BP250 AW II can carry a camera with an attached lens and three other lenses, a laptop, and several jackets or even other articles of clothing needed for the trip at the top.
On the side of the bag, it can accommodate a tripod or bottle of water. The backpack also includes a rain cover for protection from all kinds of weather, from monsoons to sandstorms.
However, it does feel a little limited at the top, and I had a hard time accommodating all I need for travel like a jacket, water bottle, hard drive, sunglasses, and headphones. In terms of quality, don’t expect a robust high-end bag, but its craftsmanship is admirable. Overall, the backpack is a really great value.
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Canon Deluxe Backpack 200 EG
Technical Specs: Price: $50 | Weight: 2.6 lbs | Material: Nylon/Polyester | Size: 11.5 x 15.6 x 7.2″
Pros
- Amazing Value
- Durability
- Large Capacity
- Water Resistance
Cons
- Ugly
- Mixed Quality
- Lacks Features
- No Laptop Sleeve
Even though it is the cheapest bag on the list, the Canon Deluxe Backpack deserves a spot for its durability, water-proofing, and amount of storage. The Canon Deluxe can carry 2 DSLRs and anywhere around 4-5 lenses. It’s a tank of a bag and has served thousands of photographers reliably for years now.
This backpack is not the most aesthetic-looking but makes up for its rugged appearance with practicality. Its sole function is to carry as much gear as possible and keep your camera safe. Although not the most comfortable of bags, it is definitely not the worst either.
The bag itself is also lightweight, making sure not to add unnecessary strain on the wearer. For its price and durability, the Canon Deluxe is one of the few bags that will continue to work for you for years to come.
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Peak Design Everyday Backpack
Technical Specs: Price: $290 | Weight: 4.6 lbs | Material: DWR Nylon Canvas | Size: 20L or 30L
Pros
- Superb Quality
- Style
- Feature Rich
- Organization
- Protection
- Laptop Sleeve
Cons
- None Other Than Price
This awesome daypack and backpack work well for travel and everyday life. We love the gear we have from Peak Design, and it’s all exceptionally high quality. Their Everyday Backpack provides accessibility, organization, and quality we’ve seen in no other backpack so far. What makes it stand out is the backpack feels ready to take on everyday life in addition to your photography needs.
It starts with the top access, which uses a patented MagLatch technology that is pretty nifty in use and makes for quick access. However, access is not limited to the top as both sides open for quick access to your bag that can be sectioned via padded interior sleeves similar to a camera bag.
The side pocket also comes with many pockets and storage, making for easy organization. The tuckaway straps and integrated luggage carry system make it easy to slip on top of a roller suitcase for travel.
The addition of a dedicated laptop sleeve for a tablet and documents is just icing on the cake for a great daypack. One big negative of this pack is the price, as the large 30L version is shy of $300. While the 20L backpack is cheaper, its size feels limited for photographers as it fits only one camera and a lens. Nevertheless, the backpack is now my go-to travel backpack; I take it every trip.
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Mindshift rotation180° 22L Panorama Camera Backpack
Technical Specs: Price: $200 | Weight: 4.7 lbs | Material: Nylon | Size: 9.8 x 19.7 x 8.3″
Pros
- Cool Design
- Access to Camera
- Quality
- Water Resistance
- Suspension
Cons
- Belt Pack Feel Limited For Space
The wait is over, and the famous rotating backpack is here. Mindshift has ended the constant taking on and off the backpack with its rotating belt. This function allows the wearer to easily access his bag without ever having to take it off.
It’s one of the best camera backpacks for hiking. Besides this ingenious invention, the bag can accommodate the camera with a lens attached and an extra lens in the neighboring compartment.
When you thought the bag couldn’t get any better, the Panorama also includes a 2-liter hydration reservoir. It has some negatives, such as not including a rain cover like the Lowepro BP 450 AW.
The sheer amount of points of access to the bag and comfort make the Panorama worth its price. However, it does remain a quirky bag that might not be for everyone.
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Thule Aspect DSLR Backpack ($140)
Technical Specs: Price: $140 | Weight: 3.2 lbs | Material: Nylon | Size: 20.5 x 11.8 x 8.7″
Pros
- Lightweight
- Construction Quality
- Value
- Suspension
Cons
- Lack of Sufficient Camera Organization
The Thule Aspect DSLR backpack can carry a bit of everything. One camera, two lenses, a laptop or tablet, a tripod, and even a small drone. Depending on what you want to carry, many of the compartments fold up to allow flexibility in what you may be hauling that day. Unfortunately, these dividers cannot be taken out of the bag.
Similar to many backpacking bags, this camera backpack also includes a hip belt to take some weight off the wearer. On top of the amount of camera equipment this bag can carry, it can also hold a laptop up to 15-inches in size. The Thule Aspect truly covers all the bases for a camera bag and for a moderate price.
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Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II
Technical Specs: Price: $249 | Weight: 6 lbs | Material: Nylon | Size: 20.47 x 14.17 x 8.66″
Pros
- Features
- Construction Quality
- Smart Design
- Durability
Cons
- Heavy
- Dividers Can Be A Pain To Configure
The first thing you may notice about the ProTactic 450 is the ease of access to your equipment inside of the bag. The compartments are all completely customizable, allowing you to determine which equipment will be needed to be carried on your shoot.
Also, the number of zippers allows your camera and lenses to be available anytime when needed. The ProTactic 450 can also hold a 15-inch laptop in a dedicated pocket guaranteeing its protection. Comfort is also a big part of the ProTactic 450. This bag includes lumbar support as well as a hip strap. Although priced a bit high, this is one of the best camera bags one can buy on the market today.
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Manfrotto Street Camera Backpack
Technical Specs: Price: $115 | Weight: 2.4 lbs | Material: Fabric, Nylon | Size: 18.1 x 11 x 5.9″
Pros
- Value
- Style
- Slim Size
- Decent Quality
Cons
- Smaller
- Weak Shoulder Straps For Weight
- Few Design Flaws
Carry your camera equipment in a more fashionable style with the Manfrotto Street Camera Backpack. The layout resembles the Lowepro Fastpack, with a large top section and lower section padded for camera gear. It’s got many nice features and feels well built and looks very stylish for the price.
You don’t have much space down below and could probably carry one camera with two additional lenses at best. The organization is great with this bag as it has a dedicated laptop sleeve, side pockets, and multiple slip pouches in the roomy top section of the bag. At times that organization feels a little redundant. I prefer fewer compartments and for them to be a mesh to see what’s stored inside.
Additionally, the side pockets have no elastic straps to secure necessities like a water bottle or tripod. Two things I can’t travel without. If the side pockets aren’t a deal-breaker for you, it’s a stylish backpack for photographers with good value.
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Evecase Classic Canvas Laptop Backpack
Technical Specs: Price: $50 | Weight: 2.4 lbs | Material: Canvas | Size: 15 x 12.6 x 7“
Pros
- Organization
- Cheap
- Decent Features For Price
Cons
- Quality
- Weak Shoulder Straps
- Poor Protection
The budget-priced Evecase Classic should definitely be on everyone’s list when looking at potential camera bags. This canvas backpack can hold a professional camera and up to around four lenses. With all that this bag can carry, it can get quite heavy. The Evecase Classic does include chest straps; however, it lacks a frame that will take the weight off of the photographer.
If you are of a bigger stature, the many full pockets and compartments may not affect you in the slightest. If you are smaller, however, this bag may carry more than you can handle. This can be the perfect bag for any occasion if you can distribute the weight properly.
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Ruggard Outrigger 65 DSLR Backpack
Technical Specs: Price: $50 | Weight: 2.7 lbs | Material: Polyester | Size: 16.5 x 12 x 10″
Pros
- Basic Bag That Is Effective
- Value
- Durable
Cons
- Lack Comfort
- Quality Lacks
This backpack is best for photoshoots and hauling a lot of camera gear. It’s large enough to carry two cameras and a plethora of lenses, that includes a large zoom lens like my 150 – 600mm telephoto lens.
Most important is the camera backpack is very effective at protecting gear. A padded interior provides ample shock protection, and the nylon exterior is reliable in water resistance. The additional pockets are great for carrying spare batteries, memory cards, or filters.
It’s not a great backpack for travel on planes as I prefer either a more versatile backpack or a hard-side Pelican Case. However, it’s a workhorse for photoshoots around town or reached via car.
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Lowepro Whistler BP 450 AW II
Technical Specs: Price: $319 | Weight: 2.4 lbs | Material: Nylon | Size: 23.6 x 13 x 10“
Pros
- Super Tough
- Excellent Organization
- Suspension
- Superior Quality
Cons
- Lacks Space Outside of Camera Section
- Water Bottle Holder
This is the latest addition to our collection of backpacks, and I couldn’t be more stoked on the bag. The camera bag is purpose-built for those who shoot photos and videos in the harsh elements, specifically in winter conditions such as climb or ski.
It’s definitely one of the best backpacks for photographers, but it does come with a high price tag. Since it is designed for tough winter elements, the build quality and design are impressive.
I love that the bag opens from the backside, which allows you to comfortably throw the bag on the ground and reach for gear without fear of the bag tipping or getting gear wet. It also has side and front straps designed to carry a snowboard, skis, ice axes, or hiking/ski poles (a massive win for our snowboard season).
I like the pullout rain cover for heavy weather. The suspension system is also the most robust I’ve found in a camera bag so far, which is great when carrying 40lbs of gear up a hill. My only complaint would be the size of the top compartment, which is too small for storing things like phone charging cables or whatever accessories I may need on the mountain.
There is a front compartment on the bag, but it’s one large section directly next to the camera gear, so it needs to bear weight. I’d also love a water bottle holder on the sides. I need some form of hydration for carrying such a large bag designed to be outdoors.
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Things to Consider When Buying a Camera Backpack
Durability
As a photographer, the first thing you want to consider when looking at backpacks is how you can protect your slew of expensive equipment. It doesn’t matter if you are going deep into the wilderness or exploring your city. The amount of beating electronics can take is severely limited.
You need a bag that can repel water just as well as absorb a fall to the ground. When investing so much money in your camera, an amount should also be used to buy a durable backpack to protect your priceless equipment.
Budget
Surprisingly, camera bags are not cheap. For the best shock absorption, waterproofing, comfort, lightweight, and numerous compartments, you must be prepared to pay top dollar. Even though you may just be getting started as a photographer or on a tight budget, that does not mean you can’t keep your equipment safe. Our very first backpack for photographers was a Lowepro.
Most importantly, photographers need to decide what are their exact needs for their camera backpack. While on a budget, it may be necessary to sacrifice durability for comfort. There are other options, however, where you can still get the most out of your equipment and still have enough money to spare.
Weight
Cameras, lenses, drones, tripods; all the equipment the average photographer carries around nowadays slowly adds up to the point where they will be buckling under the sheer weight of their backpack. Ours weighs just under 50 lbs – no joke! Many of these bags aim to take the pressure off the wearer’s back to allow freedom of movement.
Nothing is worse than going on a hike or exploring rooftops and being hindered by the very equipment necessary to get your perfect shot. Taking the strain off of your back and properly distributing the weight in a camera backpack is the game-changer between a miserable trip and an excellent photo shoot.
Comfort
Many photographers and travelers have painful memories of their backpack’s straps digging into their shoulders and ribs. The constant adjusting and readjusting of the harnesses quickly becomes a nuisance. Itching, twitching under the poorly made material, and lack of padding is sure to ruin any trip.
To truly focus and be immersed in your surroundings, your attention should not be on the pain pressing down on your back. With cushions, a well-built frame, and weight distribution, your camera backpack will be sure to keep your equipment safely without the painful reminder that you carry several pounds of equipment on your back.
Ease of Access
Many photographers may overlook when choosing their camera backpack how easily they can access their equipment when suddenly running across the perfect shot. Many people may stumble with taking off their bag and then fumbling with the zippers until, finally, the opportunity has slipped through their fingers.
Modern camera bags not only have your cameras and lenses organized in such a way that they are ready to be pulled out at a moment’s notice, but today’s bags even have the ability to swing around on a belt, allowing access without even having to set down your luggage. Some of the best pictures are those that are not planned; therefore, it is critical to always have your tools ready at hand.
