Best Camera Backpack

Best Camera Backpack

Whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur, a good camera backpack is a necessity for you. A camera backpack provides much more than just storage to your camera and gear. It keeps them safe and secure and enables you to easily travel with your equipment. If you are looking forward to buying one of these, have a look at our list of the best camera backpacks, which we have specially compiled for you after extensive research and testing.

At a Glance: Our Choices for the Best Camera Backpacks

The AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR Cameras and Accessories is an excellent choice for you if you want a basic level backpack that doesn’t cost much but provides utmost protection to your camera. The multiple chambers and storage options of the backpack make it ideal to keep all of your photography gear in it.

If you are looking for a highly durable camera backpack that will last for many years to come, the Case Logic SLRC-206 SLR Camera and 15.4-Inch Laptop Backpack is the one for you. With its highly durable construction and out of the way camera protection, this backpack is surely going to be your favorite storage option ever.

If huge capacity along with a stellar quality is your requirement then Lowepro Slingshot 202 DSLR Sling Camera Backpack is surely going to satiate all your needs. This backpack is loaded with storage options, along with some special arrangements for your comfort level. This is what makes this backpack worth every single penny.

For traveling photographers, it is always a nuisance to carry heavy backpacks for keeping their gear secure. If you are one of those people, the Altura Photo Camera Sling Backpack for DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras is going to take care of your problem.

The LoweproFastpack 350 DSLR Camera Backpack is for people who want to have everything from storage to durability to quality to comfort to convenience. This little bad boy offers it all. So, if you are not too afraid of going a little heavier on your budget, this backpack should be your choice.

Top 5 Camera Backpacks Comparison Chart

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Best Camera Backpack Reviews


1. AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR Cameras and Accessories

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With more than 3500 5-star ratings on the Amazon, the AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR cameras and accessories truly deserves the top spot on our list. This spacious backpack is roomy enough to hold your complete photography gear without a problem.

Being spacious isn’t its only likable trait. This backpack is also highly inexpensive but is loaded with features, making its value too good for the price.

One thing that caught our special attention in this backpack is its main compartment that comes with adjustable chambers. The advantage of these chambers is that you can fit all of your different types of accessories into it by simply adjusting them as per your need.

This backpack is a great option for both storing your camera and related equipment and for traveling purpose. The exterior of the backpack features two lateral compartments with flaps, which you can use for keeping your phone, iPod, and keys etc.

There are two big zippered compartments as well that can be used for keeping your notebooks, manuals, or even a shirt or light jacket. There are also side straps on the front along with a bendable string that can hold your umbrella or any other hanging device like a tripod.

The two see through plastic zippered compartments on the inside of the main section are ideal for storing your small items that can be easily lost, like a memory card or battery.

For optimum protection of your camera and gear, the backpack’s main section is padded with foam. This provides shock protection to all the fragile tools.

The shoulder straps of the backpack are also padded with foam to ensure a maximum level of comfort while wearing it. The straps are easily adjustable and are pretty wide so you don’t feel any burden on your shoulders.

The chest and waist straps are also there for giving your back a sigh of relief when the backpack is overloaded with your stuff.

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PROS

  • Budget friendly option.
  • Highly comfortable with cushioned straps for shoulders, waist, and chest.
  • Spacious with multiple storage compartments for storing all of your photography equipment.
  • Light in weight and highly durable.
  • Adjustable cushioned chambers for complete protection.

CONS

  • Might not be roomy enough for advanced level photographers.
  • The upper handle may easily come off.

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2. Case Logic SLRC-206 SLR Camera and 15.4-Inch Laptop Backpack

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For those of you, who are looking for a one-time investment in a highly sturdy backpack, you have to give a shot to the Case Logic SLRC-206 backpack. This backpack provides plenty of storage that is not only enough for all of your photography tools, but for additional stuff as well.

The backpack comes with a separate laptop compartment to kick your convenience up a notch. Now, whenever your memory gets full, you can transfer your pictures to your laptop on the go.

The main camera compartment of the backpack has ample space to hold the majority of the SLR camera bodies along with a lens up to the length of 9.8 meters.

The measurements of the laptop compartment are 15.4x 10.4 x 1, which are enough to accommodate the majority of the laptop sizes these days. For holding your tripod or monopod, the backpack features stretchy loops on the lateral sides.

The construction of backpack is very robust and is done with a heavy-duty durable nylon material. Don’t worry about putting it on a wet floor because of its waterproof EVA base. The base also aids in keeping the backpack steady in standing position.

You will find the backpack to be very comfortable to be carried around with ease. Just like the AmazonBasics, this backpack also features adjustable straps for your shoulders that let you set them as per your requirement.

Being heavily cushioned, the shoulder straps ensure that the backpack snugly fits you without giving you any sort of pain. One of the major standout points of this backpack is that it features a pending hammock suspension system that makes your camera hang in between to keep it safe from a sudden shock.

This feature is so unique that the company had to patent it. That’s not it! For the special protection of your camera’s LCD, the cover of the main compartment is padded with scratchproof memory foam.

Just like the above one, this backpack also comes with modifiable padded dividers for keeping your additional equipment safe and intact. Apart from the inner storage, the backpack also has 4 zippered compartments on the outside that are perfect for keeping the small stuff like cables, batteries, USBs etc.

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PROS

  • Highly durable backpack.
  • Extra protection for your camera with the patented pending hammock suspension system.
  • Heavily padded shoulder straps for maximum comfort.
  • Numerous storage pockets.
  • Scratchproof memory foam for guarding the screen of your camera.
  • Additional laptop compartment.

CONS

  • Lacks waist strap.
  • Camera hammock isn’t big enough for everyone.

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3. Lowepro Slingshot 202 DSLR Sling Camera Backpack

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The next one is the Lowepro Slingshot 202 DSLR sling camera backpack that is more of a premium grade option. So, for all of you, who want a backpack that can take some load, the slingshot 202 is for you.

This versatile and large backpack has a huge capacity. It can easily hold a DSLR or mirror-less camera with a mounted lens, 3 to 4 extra lenses, flash units, cords, monopod or small tripod, point and shoot camera and so many other accessories altogether.

The sling design of the backpack lets you rotate it to the front from the back for quickly accessing your camera or other related accessories, without having you to completely take it off.

The sling also contributes to the additional storage space for keeping your small personal stuff or other camera attachments in the outer pockets or upper section.

This gigantic backpack is loaded with storing compartments in forms of dividers, zippered pockets and so on. The zippers used in the backpack slide off very smoothly, making your reach to the stuff even quicker.

You will also find a foldout holder in the backpack that safely keeps the monopod or a compact sized tripod. When needed, you can seamlessly remove them from the holder with a quick-release button.

The comfort level in this backpack is pretty high due to its ergonomic design. The sling offers a very different way of carrying your photography equipment without putting your back or shoulders in trouble.

Although, the amount of storage this backpack offers will completely suffice all of your requirements, if you still need some more storage options, you can attach small pouches or bags with the provided loops.

This bag offers separate and exclusive memory card holders that are located inside the major compartment’s lid.

Lastly, the backpack features a highly durable and easy to clean material for increasing your convenience. And the all-weather cover of the backpack guards your camera and equipment against weather atrocities. You can also use it as a carry-on bag on a flight.

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PROS

  • Huge storage capacity with numerous pockets, dividers and so much more.
  • Efficient side flaps.
  • Highly comfortable.
  • Premium quality product.
  • Quick access to the stuff due to sling design.

CONS

  • Not for all DSLRs.
  • A bit heavy.

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4. Altura Photo Camera Sling Backpack for DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras

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Now is the turn of the model that is specifically great for traveling or hiking purposes, which is the Altura Sling Backpack for DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

Once you buy this highly durable and lightweight backpack, you are never going to look back. The backpack offers plenty of room for securely keeping your camera and gear inside. And it also allows you to effortlessly and quickly access your stuff on the go.

This backpack can be used with a number of renowned camera models like Canon, Sony, Nikon, and others. The various dynamic storage chambers help you keep everything organized.

You can easily place a whole DSLR or mirrorless camera with a fixed kit or zoom lens in the backpack. This saves up enough space to provide you more room for additional lenses and equipment.

Both the interior and exterior quality of the backpack are remarkable, especially the interior. Like all other camera backpacks, it also features padded separators that can be adjusted as per your own will. And other storage options allow you to keep all of your small to big attachments inside the backpack.

Like the above model, the sling design of this model also offers you the comfort of rotating it towards the front for quickly reaching your camera. And the side entry options make the access even faster.

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PROS

  • Ideal for traveling and hiking.
  • Very light in weight.
  • Durable and high-quality construction.
  • Additional strap available to be used while hiking.
  • Offers plenty of room with easy access.

CONS

  • Full-frame cameras might not fit in there with attached lens.
  • Could use Velcro at the upper part.

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5. LoweproFastpack 350 DSLR Camera Backpack

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The last option on our list of the best camera backpacks is again from Lowepro. This superior level camera bag might be a bit pricey but it provides adequate storage for all of your equipment and more.

You can easily keep a professional level camera with an attached zoom or kit lens in it along with additional lenses and photography tools. It even provides storage for keeping your laptop, memory cards, flash units and so much more.

The backpack keeps your camera and gear completely safe and protected by its security flap. Due to its lightweight design, you can take it anywhere you want while you are on your photography adventures.

This backpack provides you 180-degree access to your stuff with a completely cushioned main chamber. And the adaptable separators provide a personalized fit to all the other accessories.

You won’t feel any strain on your shoulders while wearing it because of its foam lined shoulder straps that provide you optimum comfort. The fabric of the backpack’s straps, being highly breathable, makes sure you are at ease while swinging it.

The backpack also provides protection against dirt or sand grains through its reversed zipper. Want to go out with your camera but it’s raining? No problem. The waterproof fabric of the backpack will let you move your camera anytime and anywhere you want without worrying about the weather.

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PROS

  • Compact and lightweight design.
  • Enough space for a camera with a mounted large lens.
  • Numerous storing options for keeping batteries, memory cards, and other tools.
  • Room for keeping a laptop.
  • High in comfort level.
  • Water-resistant.

CONS

  • Lacks tripod or monopod storing option.
  • Access to main camera chamber may seem awkward.

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Qualities of a Good Camera Backpack

Durability

No matter for what purpose you buy them, the backpacks are famous for their rough and tough consumption. And considering that you have to use this backpack for keeping your expensive camera and gear, the durability automatically takes the top position in your priority list.

Make sure that the backpack you have chosen is completely and heavily lined with foam to provide optimum impact protection. In addition, you should also look for weather and water resistant material so that you can avoid any sudden mishaps.

Adaptability

If a camera backpack is versatile enough, it can be used for many years to come, no matter how much change you have brought to your overall gear. A backpack with adjustable storage options will always come in handy. So, always look for high adaptability.

Comfort

The level of comfort also plays a huge part in the overall functionality of a camera backpack. If you own a heavy camera gear but your backpack has thin and tiny straps that aren’t even padded, you are going to be miserable just after a little while of usage.

Heavy or not, always go for wider and cushioned shoulder straps. And if that isn’t enough of support, the waist and chest straps should also be included in your checklist as they ensure the highest level of comfort.

Things to be Avoided in Camera Backpacks

Funky Colors

Funky colors attract too much attention and a decent photographer should have the ability to blend in with the crowd for producing the best images possible. Though there is no apparent harm init, the more attention you attract, thefewer chances of capturing the candid photos.

Poorly Organized Storage Pockets

One of the major purposes of camera backpacks is to keep your stuff well organized and right in front of you for fast access. If you have to reach the batteries or USB cable by removing some of the stuff inside the backpack then it isn’t worth it.

Dust Catching Materials

Being a photographer you’d know pretty well that dust can completely destroy your camera. No matter how careful you are, there are chances your backpack may get exposed to the dusty atmosphere at some point.

If the inside fabric isn’t dust repellent then you are going to be in a lot of trouble pretty soon. Therefore, make sure to choose a backpack whose fabric doesn’t attract dust so easily.

Lack of Safety Options

If your work involves you to stay in crowded places, you should be careful about the safety options of your backpack. Do not go for the one that offers frontal access. And avoid anything that gives off a sneak peek to your expensive gear.

Final Verdict

Buying a good camera backpack doesn’t involve any rocket science. All you have to do is to be considerate about a few factors on the basis of your usage and requirements and that’s it.

At this point, we are sure that all of your confusions would have washed away and you would have made up your mind about your selection.

All of our chosen backpacks offer great value for their prices with a high level of functionality. So, you can pick anyone without any worries. And once it works out for you, which we are sure it will; feel free to share this information with your fellow photographers.

Andrew Wyatt

Andrew Wyatt

Andrew Wyatt has been a tech geek for as long as he can remember. Whether it's laptops, cameras, or projects, he's obsessed with it all. When he's not researching the latest tech products, he likes to go on long hikes with his dogs.

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