Best Camera Bag for Photographers

If you poke around the internet for long enough, looking for the best camera bags on the market, you'll come across a Peak Design bag. We love the Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L (V2) because you can fit a medium-sized kit inside, which is all that most will need for travel, and it's intensely comfortable, even if you're using old metal lenses that weigh a lot. This sling-style bag fits your body like a glove, which we find handy, as it doesn't let your camera gear swing around much, though you can loosen the strap if you see fit.

You can fit a 13" laptop inside the bag, and it feels as safe as the camera gear, thanks to well-padded side walls. There are three sizes to choose from: 3, 6, and 10 liters. We dig the 10-liter for travel because we can fit more camera gear inside, though you may prefer something smaller. If you're only bringing one camera and a single lens, the 3L is much more compact, making it easier to act stealthily and more comfortable long term. The slings are modular with other Peak Design gear, making it a solid choice if you've already invested in the ecosystem.

• The materials and hardware are top class
• There's room for non-camera gear in the secondary compartments

• The tight fit can take some time to get used to
• The modular features aren't handy if you don't have other Peak Design gear

The Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag's heritage styling will catch your eye, but the attention to detail will keep you coming back once you've used it. With a capacity of 8.5 liters, you can fit a medium-sized kit inside, and the camera insert is removable, so you can use the messenger-style bag without it if the need arises while traveling. There are multiple colorways available, and they all include three-layered waterproof fabric to ensure your gear stays dry in any weather.

The comfort of the Hadley Pro Camera Bag will depend on how used to wearing a messenger-style bag you are, especially since the strap doesn’t include any padding for your shoulders. However, even the most seasoned of pros will feel the stress of a heavy camera kit after a few hours. We find that it's usable all day long if you take breaks throughout the day, as you should be doing to hydrate and rest anyway. There's no dedicated space for a laptop or tablet, but there are secondary compartments for extras, like filters, cables, or everyday gear like your phone or wallet.

• The style is timeless and fits in while walking through the city or working a wedding
• The materials are durable and highly water-resistant

• The strap lacks shoulder padding to add comfort while carrying a heavy kit
• There’s no dedicated laptop pocket

Tenba is one of our favorite camera bag brands because it takes a no-nonsense approach to design. These bags don't have many bells and whistles, but they utilize high-quality materials, keep your gear dry, and are generally comfortable to carry. The Tenba DNA 16 Slim Messenger Bag continues that legacy, with enough space for a large camera kit and a highly comfortable strap for use all day long, whether you're on assignment in New York City or vacationing in Asia.

This messenger-style bag can accommodate up to a 16" laptop, so you can use it to go to the coffee shop after a long day of shooting to get work (or editing) done. The bag is designed for cameras, but you can remove the insert to stow anything in the main compartment. We've found this to be one of the easiest bags to get in and out of while on the go, which makes it a solid choice for working photographers or travelers who love street shooting. The DNA 16 Slim Messenger Bag is comfortable, highly water-resistant, and carries more than most photographers need without bells and whistles most of us won't ever use.

• It's highly water-resistant and still easy to get into
• The strap is quite comfortable, even after hours of use

• It isn't modular like some camera bags
• The main compartment is challenging to use if you remove the padded insert

The Tenba BYOB 10 Camera Insert is a simple camera cube, but an innovative design choice from the brand makes this one of the most versatile travel companions on this list. They included eyes on either side of the bag and a strap to carry it as a crossbody bag. So, you can stow it inside your travel backpack or carry on luggage luggage for the trip to your destination, and take it out and use it as a camera bag once you've arrived. It isn't the most intuitive bag on this list; however, it's the most functional for most travelers, which is worth commending.

This bag comes in multiple sizes, but we feel that the 10-liter model is the best option for travel backpacks. It accommodates small kits (think a camera and two non-long lenses) and includes a strap for carrying purposes. It isn't the most comfortable to, though we can’t knock it too much, as that's not the primary goal of the bag. However, we find that it works well for most users without shoulder sensitivity. You can't fit much extra gear inside, so it isn't ideal for users who want to carry their everyday gear inside their camera bag. If you're looking for a versatile option, the BYOB Camera Insert is the camera bag for you!

• It operates as a camera bag and a camera cube
• It's small enough to fit in most travel backpacks but can fit a small camera kit

• The strap isn’t very comfortable to carry the cube standalone
• There isn't much extra room for camera accessories

The WANDRD ROGUE 9L SLING is a capable camera bag for travel, daily use, or special missions. With nine liters of capacity, you can fit a medium-sized kit here, depending on the sizes of your lenses. It's pretty comfortable, with a well-padded trap and a rigid back panel. The exterior is highly water-resistant, making it a solid option for trips around the city when rain is in the forecast and hikes into the wilderness when you never know what you might come across.

This sling-style bag can handle up to a 16" laptop, which is impressive for its small footprint compared to a big computer. The dividers are well-padded but easy to manipulate, which is handy when switching what you're carrying mid-trip or accidentally moving one while ripping your camera out quickly to get a photograph of the rare ivory-billed woodpecker. The WANDRD ROGUE 9L SLING looks like a regular sling, and we dig that, as you'll look like an average Joe without thousands of dollars on your back while traveling!

• The materials are highly water-resistant
• You can fit a 16" laptop inside

• Though durable and weatherproof, the look isn't for everyone
• The strap can dig in when you have a heavy load and a laptop

The Bellroy Venture Sling is one of our favorite crossbody bags because of its excellent organization and high-quality materials. The Bellroy Venture Sling 10L (Camera Edition) continues that legacy, though differently. At 10 liters, you can fit a small to medium-sized kit inside, and the comfort is top-notch for a sling that's as light as this one. It's one of the more expensive bags on this list; however, we feel that the materials, hardware, and design warrant the purchase—if all of those speak to your use case.

Similar to the non-camera version, the self-compressing gussets keep the bag slim, no matter how much you stow inside. That's especially handy if you plan to use this bag with and without camera gear. The dividers are dense and well-padded but are easy to manipulate with larger gear. There's ample space for camera accessories and the gear you'd normally keep in your pocket, like your phone, wallet, and keys. The strap can dig in when the bag is fully packed, but it's only uncomfortable when you have a full load with heavy camera gear. Otherwise, the carry is comfortable enough!

• The self-compressing gusset keeps the bag looking sleek
• The internal organization works for camera gear and everyday items

• The strap lacks thick padding and can dig in
• The materials aren't very structured, which can be awkward with heavy camera gear

No, the tomtoc Wander-T26 Daily Sling 5.5L isn't a proper camera sling. Still, thanks to its large main compartment, we've used it countless times to stow camera equipment and feel it's a solid option for that purpose. Plus, it comes in at a budget-friendly price point and can be used as an everyday carry sling when not in use for camera gear.

There are XPAC and CORDURA® nylon versions of this sling, both of which have their perks. The XPAC offers stellar water resistance, whereas the CORDURA® has thicker walls, offering more camera protection. We've been able to fit a Fuji X-T3 with a Sigma 18-50mm lens and a 55-200mm lens in the main compartment without issue, and some room to spare for extra goodies like snacks and accessories. The front secondary compartment works well for your phone, wallet, keys, and phone, so you don't have to force those items to intermingle with your camera gear. Also, there's a hidden pocket for your passport or other essential items on the back panel.

The strap has a well-padded section that moves, which we like because you can adjust it to meet your comfort needs. For the price, the tomtoc Wander-T26 Daily Sling 5.5L is one of the best options on this list, especially for those looking to hit two birds with one stone.

• There are XPAC and CORDURA® models available
• You can use it as a regular sling, too

• There are no dividers for your camera gear
• The colorway options are bland

Our primary tester for this post ordered the small version of the Hex Ranger DSLR Sling V2 a half-decade ago, but they accidentally sent the medium version. Though initially upset, after using it, the mistake proved to be a positive one. All three sizes offer unique takes on the modern camera sling, with the ability to carry small, medium, or medium-large camera kits wherever your legs or bike can take you. The build quality isn't the best we've tested, though the price is lower than most other options on this list.

The back panel isn't very firm, so the sling causes some back and shoulder discomfort after a few hours, though it's manageable. If you choose one of the smaller two options, this is less of an issue. The design is easy to get used to, but compared to other options on this list, it doesn't offer the most camera protection. However, for casual use, the Hex Ranger DSLR Sling V2 exceeds our expectations for the price and availability.

• It’s budget-friendly
• There are three capacities for different kit sizes

• The strap and back panel aren't the most comfortable
• The bag lacks structure, which can look saggy

If you're second-guessing bringing your photography equipment or are sharing a bag with a partner or friend and they won't let you bring everything you want, the Case Logic camera holster is an excellent compromise. Though it's called a holster, we prefer to call it a pod. There's nothing wrong with a holster, but a camera pod is easier to wrap our heads around than a holster is. Basically, it means that you can fit a single camera body with a small to medium-sized lens inside and nothing more substantial.

There are two side zippered pockets for accessories, like camera batteries, SD cards, small filters, or even a snack or two. It's called a holster because it has a belt-loop attachment, so you can attach it to your belt, though we prefer to use it with the included shoulder strap, as it puts less strain on your pants and looks sleeker. Though the bag isn't our favorite look on the list, it accomplishes a simple goal well.

• It is budget-friendly and easy to pack
• It includes a belt loop attachment and strap

• The design isn’t very sleek
• The capacity is limiting