The Best Camera Bags of 2024

If you’re just starting out as a photographer or are a pro going light for the day, the Ruggard Hunter 35 DSLR Holster Bag ($16) is a great way to protect and carry that single camera body and lens. 

Although the most affordable option on our list, this holster bag has a generous amount of padding for its size. The front zippered pocket, also padded, leaves just enough room for small accessories, while the interior has two SD card pockets just inside the lid. The padded handle allows you to carry without the risk of stressing your hand. 

The zippered top allows for quick, easy access and opens away from your body, so no one but you can use it. The adjustable strap lets you decide the length accordingly, and the nylon is strong enough to handle the weight. However, the plastic clips seem like they would break if put under enough force. 

The weather-resistant material keeps your camera dry in light rain, and the accessory strap allows the user to wear this bag in two different ways: around the shoulder or at the hip. Outdoors, this bag proved to be durable and easy to carry. The only issue we had with this bag is that it can only fit a smaller setup and does not have room for extra lenses due to its shape and size. If you need an affordable option that fits more, try the Amazon Basics Large DSLR Gadget Bag.

The Ruggard Hunter 35 DSLR Holster Bag is perfect for quick, on-the-go photography with a single DSLR camera and one attached lens. There is plenty of room for several extra SD cards and a couple of spare batteries, so it’s a simple, well-padded, protected way to carry all you need for a day of shooting. 

The WANDRD Rogue Sling 9L ($159) is an extremely comfortable bag with several unique qualities and many forms of protection.  

Available in several colors and three sizes (3L, 6L, and 9L), this bag can be carried over the shoulder, as a messenger bag, or “fanny pack” style. It has easily adjustable straps and three different grab handles.

Additional features make this a great option: extra straps to hold a compact tripod, clips in front for key rings, plentiful pockets for memory cards and accessories, and a “secret” pocket at the base for an umbrella, light rain jacket, or water bottle.

Thanks to these features, its waterproof material, and enough padding to protect a full-frame camera body and two to three spare lenses, this 9L bag is perfect for hiking. We found it very comfortable while on walks and appreciated that it protected our camera gear, water bottles, and snacks from a light rain halfway through the hike. 

Even with three carry options, this bag is well-balanced, easy to access, and doesn’t tip forward when we are digging through it. While we shot a 4-hour event in a concert hall, the strap remained comfortable and never caused an achy neck or shoulder.

Compared to the Tenba DNA 16 PRO Messenger Bag, Clement found that this bag allowed her to carry the amount of gear needed, but was easier to handle with her size and frame.  This bag kept our gear dry from outdoor elements and it also protected us from a syrupy drink spilled on us at the concert venue. The weather-resistant material is also easy to clean. 

Our only concern is that although the WANDRD bag does have a 16-inch laptop slot, there is a zipper you have to undo on the underside to give that sized laptop room to fit. This means the laptop hangs unprotected from the bottom of the bag and has limited protection on the sides. This wouldn’t be a problem for a wearer with a tablet, smaller laptop, or no device at all.

This bag is one of the more comfortable, even when we packed it full of gear. It provides considerable padding and has adjustable inserts for different-sized lenses or camera bodies, making it ideal for shooting events where you need to constantly change lenses. Since the inserts are adjustable and removable, the WANDRD Rogue Sling 9L is versatile and great for other uses like travel. It does come in three sizes (3L, 6L, 9L), so finding the size right for you and your needs is easy. 

The Peak Design Everyday V2 6L Sling ($120) is a slick, sleek sling that provides enough padding and safety for your camera and two to three lenses. With two different ways to wear, cross-body or over the shoulder, this bag allows easy access to your camera and provides room for many accessories. 

On hikes, the Peak Design sling proved extremely durable and comfortable. Its weatherproof recycled 400D shell keeps gear safe with its thick insulation layer. And even after hours in the sun, this material stayed cool and didn’t overheat. We loved how the swivel clips and padded strap made it easy to swing the bag around to the front for quick access. Additional quick-grab hooks and straps mean you can attach a tripod on the bottom. 

The inside of the bag has adjustable shelf dividers, allowing you to customize what you bring, and how you pack and organize your gear. You can fit a camera with two lenses on either side or stack two small lenses with the shelf used as a divider. 

The dedicated tablet sleeve is ideal for bringing along a small screen and has a magnet to keep it closed. Although we could fit an iPad, the sleeve is a bit short, exposing some of the iPad. The sleeve is thick enough to protect from rubbing up against your other gear. 

We felt that some of the storage options fell short. The outside pocket is small and compressed so it is best used for flatter gear like memory cards, phones, or spare batteries. The two inner side pockets are small, making them hard to get into, so they would be best for extra straps. 

While tested against the WANDRD Rogue Sling 9L and Tenba DNA 16 PRO Messenger Bag, Clement found the Peak stiffer and harder to stretch or open. However, the Peak bag could hold the same amount of gear as the WANDRD bag, even though its design was a bit sleeker. 

The Peak Design Everyday V2 6L bag is perfect for everyday carry and discreet enough for street photography. It can be used for simple photo sessions, smaller events, vacations, and hikes. This V2 series comes in 3, 6, and 10 L. We recommend the 6L or 10L bag if you need more than a basic DSLR and lens.

The Manfrotto Advanced Messenger Camera Bag M III ($125) is the fraternal twin to the Tenba DNA 16 PRO Messenger Bag. There were so many parallel features that we had to test them against each other to suss out the big differences.

The Manfrotto bag has the same “quick access” zipper, while the full flap can be closed and clipped while not in use. Its water-resistant materials keep water and sweat out, while the zippers, although not YKK, are smooth to zip and unzip. The strap is extremely comfortable, even after a few hours of running around a venue, and the customizable stabilizer strap keeps the bag in place while on the move. The main strap has a clip, which makes adjusting the strap length effortless. This is one of the bag’s best features and we didn’t find this ingenious design in any other sling we tested.

With several compartments and pockets, it is easy to stay organized. The inserts are made from Manfrotto’s patented M-Guard™ design, which means they are shock-absorbent. They can be shaped into the “shelf” style for small lens stacking.

This bag can hold a generous amount of gear. We were able to fit our 105mm and 200mm lenses, camera body, and two smaller lenses comfortably, with room to spare for accessories and a 14-inch laptop in the computer compartment.

Unfortunately, the tripod bungee cords are another story. The unimpressive cords are located on the inside of the main flap, which means only a compact tripod can fit. It seems like a random place to have tripod “straps” when the base of the bag is a more common place for them.

The Manfrotto Advanced Messenger Camera Bag M III is a high-quality bag for its price. It has a lot of room to carry a decent amount of gear, and the shelving inserts are top-grade. It’s extremely comfortable to carry for a long period of time, and the stabilizer strap and the quick adjusting clasp on the main strap were a big plus. However, compared to the Tenba DNA 16 PRO Messenger Bag, the Manfrotto Advanced Messenger Camera Bag M III falls just a little short due to the unstable tripod bungee cords and the lack of complete waterproofness. But, if these are not super important features to you, this is an amazing, well-built bag for its price.

Much like the WANDRD Rogue Sling 9L, the Moment Rugged Camera Sling 10L ($160) is a comfortable sling bag with many unique qualities.

Available in 6L and 10L, this bag is easy to get into for quick-grab moments, while the straps make bearing the weight for a wearer more manageable. The main strap is thick and comfortable on the shoulder, while the stabilizer strap keeps the bag secure on your body while moving. This strap is also customizable, whether you are right or left-hand dominant.

The special “wing” features are not sewn completely on the bag at the sides, which helps disperse the weight of your gear without forcing the bag to form to a wearer’s body. The base of the bag includes extra straps with the featured magnetic clips for a compact tripod.

Made from recycled sailcloth and nylon, this bag is waterproof and equipped with water-resistant YKK zippers, keeping gear safe from rain and sweat. Moment also claims that it does not use harmful coatings like PU, TPU, PVC, or DWR, which are sometimes added to clothing, footwear, and sporting equipment to make products waterproof and more durable.

The waterproof sailcloth material is a great feature, but it is noisy. When we reached into the bag, the fabric rustled loudly. This is not a deal-breaking gripe, but it could be annoying if used at events like banquets or media events where you don’t want to draw much attention to yourself.

Another minor issue is that the front pocket is compact and does not have much room or padding, so flatter gear like lens caps, SD card capsules, or a phone may be best. However, the inside is well-padded and customizable for the gear you need to carry. The bright, neon orange color may seem needless, but if you drop a battery or lens cap in the bottom of the bag, it is easier to find against the sanguine hue since most accessories are black.

The Moment Rugged Camera Sling 10L bag is perfect for everyday carry and discreet enough for street photography. It is best for hikes, smaller events, vacations, and day trips. This bag is comfortable for longer events, and the stabilizer strap helps keep it in place while being active. $160 may be a little pricey, but it is worth it with all the special features that are included.

The Amazon Basics Large DSLR Gadget Bag ($43) is true to its name; it is a great, basic camera bag. With tons of pockets and adjustable inserts, it can fit a full-frame camera body, two to three lenses, and a decent amount of gear like cards, batteries, and a small tablet. 

If you’re feeling brave, more gear could fit into this bag. The inside is surprisingly roomy for how small the bag first seems, and the extra pockets stretch out a small amount.

This well-padded bag protects your gear, and it even boasts rubber feet at the base, so there are no worries about the bottom wearing down when you need to set it down. 

Although the material is not considered “water resistant,” it does well at repelling moisture. During a hot day outside, the bag got a little warm, but it kept the camera and gear relatively cool. 

One of our gripes was the difficulty we had getting into the bag as quickly as we were able to access others, like the Ruggard Hunter 35 DSLR Holster Bag. There is no easy-access zipper or opening, so you must unclip and open the top of the bag toward your body. But there is a “belt loop” where you can hook your camera body, or even a spare camera, for quick grabs in fast moments.

Our other concern is that the straps are not the most supportive so the bag can feel a little heavy and get hard on the neck and shoulders depending on how much gear you pack. If you’re used to bringing your entire kit on every walk or adventure, you’ll want to be more choosy when using this bag. 

The Amazon Basics Large DSLR Gadget Bag is a good starter bag for a reasonable price. If you’re a photographer who doesn’t lug around a lot of accessories, or if you work smaller events that don’t require a huge amount of gear, this is the bag for you. 

Like the Ruggard Hunter 35 DSLR Bag, the FOSOTO Waterproof Anti-Shock Bag ($21) is mainly for smaller-bodied cameras. It is an ideal holster bag for nature walks or simple vacations. 

This bag can be worn over the shoulder or at your hip. The excess strap could be used to carry a compact tripod; anything larger would exceed the size of the bag. The quick-release buckle allows easy DSLR access, and the anti-shock interior and padding keep the gear safe from outside forces. 

The inside zipper mesh pocket holds small gear like extra cords, batteries, and memory cards. The mesh is slightly thinner than other bags with a mesh pouch, and the zipper does not run as smoothly but does stretch enough to fit small accessories.  

The water-resistant exterior keeps your camera dry in light rain, and the rain cover that comes with it protects against heavier showers. It also stayed reasonably cool while in warm weather. 

It provides enough protection for a small-to-medium DSLR, and it is easy to carry with the straps. While testing, Clement found that the top handle also made it easy to move the bag around her body while taking photos. It was lightweight enough to keep her neck and shoulders from getting too fatigued after a few hours of walking. However, this bag doesn’t have a ton of extra space. If you need a bag with more capacity, then you’ll want a bag like the WANDRD Rogue Sling 9L.

The FOSOTO Waterproof Anti-Shock Bag is perfect for beginner or hobbyist photographers. It is compact and provides enough protection that a professional photographer could easily fit into a larger camera bag. Given its protection, the low price point makes the bag a solid, affordable option.

As far as aesthetics go, the CADeN Canvas Camera Bag ($55) is for photographers who enjoy that vintage travel look. It is made of thick, waterproof canvas with leather straps and brass buckles. There are hidden snaps under these buckles, so you can quickly access your gear by simply unsnapping them without needing to unbuckle anything. 

The side pockets could be great for storing a water bottle or cleaning tools like a microfiber cloth or lens blower. We found this bag, designed to be worn over the shoulder, a bit too cumbersome even with the adjustable strap.

The adjustable straps mean the bag can fit a wide range of people, but the straps don’t really stay put if you are running or moving around a lot. The zippers, although strong, don’t move as smoothly as the zippers on some other bags. 

The inserts are not as padded as other bags we tested, but they are removable meaning the CADeN could be used as an overnight duffle rather than the traditional camera bag. The inserts could also be replaced with more padded options.  This bag, which also has straps for a tripod, could easily hold a bigger camera body and a couple of lenses, but we worry that the canvas wouldn’t be enough to protect such a load.  

At a mid-level price, the CADeN is a decent bag with stylish aesthetics; the worn canvas and leather straps are detailed to the last stitch. Its discreet look means it could be used for small events or street photography.

However, if you don’t have a lot of gear to put around the inserts, they are not stable enough to stay in place and could cause shifting within the bag. If you have a lot of gear, it quickly gets heavy on your shoulders. This bag is ideal for situations where you can put the bag down often or store it somewhere during the shoot. 

Overall, the CADeN Canvas Camera Bag is a beautiful option for casual photographers with light gear looking for just enough pockets and a roomy interior. But because of this bag’s lack of protection compared to others like the Peak Design Everyday V2 6L Sling, the “hipster” aesthetics are really the only thing this bag has going for it. It is best used as a small event or street photography bag or a carry-on or day bag for travel.

The Hex Ranger DSLR Sling XL ($150) bag is durable and spacious. It is made of water-resistant materials, and the inserts are customizable, allowing up to six sections. The bag has several pockets for easy organization and two pockets lined with faux fur for gear that could scratch, such as a phone, lens filters, or a 13” computer or tablet.

There are three “hidden” pockets. One is along the side of the bag next to the computer compartment, and the other two are along the strap as “stash” pockets for money or SD cards. However, they are slightly too small and oddly shaped to fit ID or credit cards. There are also two adjustable straps at the base of the bag for a decent-sized tripod or thick coat.

While testing against the Tenba DNA 16 PRO Messenger Bag and the Manfrotto Advanced Messenger Camera Bag M III, we found accessing camera gear in the Hex Ranger cumbersome. The only way we could get into the main compartment of the Hex bag was to open the whole bag entirely while it was sitting on a stable surface. If you do it while standing, there your hand will not fit and you can’t see into the bag to know what you want to grab. There is no “quick access” zipper. If you were to unzip the bag completely while wearing it, camera gear would spill out onto the ground, potentially damaging hundreds of dollars of equipment.

The shell of the bag is not padded as much as most camera bags. The side walls have little padding, while the computer pouch has almost none. If you move around and bump that side of the bag against your body, only a thin layer of foam and faux fur keeps the computer safe.

This would be an ideal bag for traveling or events where you can set it down to dig for your gear. The two zippers to the main compartment are large enough for a travel lock to avoid theft.

Overall, the Hex Ranger DSLR Sling XL is made from great materials, but the design is lacking. Hex is a popular brand with many different bags to choose from, but this bag’s layout is similar to a camera backpack, which is not ideal for a sling.