Camera bags are a great way to keep your equipment safe while traveling, and they provide a handy place for storing your bodies and lenses at home.

You’ll find many bags for your photography gear, but they aren’t all created equally. With that in mind, it’s worth taking some time to think about what you need before making a purchase.

Buying a camera bag requires thinking about the pricing, how much equipment you have, and many other factors. To help you choose the right bag, we’ve compiled a list of things to consider first.

1. Is the Bag Waterproof?

Even if you have a weather-sealed camera, getting a waterproof bag is a good idea for protecting your equipment against the elements. Many ordinary backpacks can deal with a bit of drizzle, but they’re not so great at coping with heavier rainfall.

When looking for camera bags, you’ll find a broad range designed for dealing with rainy weather. And if you’re going to be getting among waterfalls and in the sea, you should also think about getting something that is splash-resistant.

Checking out your bag in person is a good idea for ensuring that you get the level of protection that you need. Once you’re happy with your decision, you may be able to get a good deal by visiting one of the many second-hand photography websites.

2. Where Will You Use the Bag?

photo of a camera bag outside

In addition to protecting your camera equipment from water damage, you should also think about where you’re going to use your bag. For example, if you plan to travel a lot, you’ll want to ensure that your bag meets most airlines’ carry-on baggage restrictions.

Some airlines, such as Austrian, FinnAir, and SWISS, let you take one personal item and something larger—such as a small suitcase. However, many operators have reduced the amount you can take to one bag that fits beneath your seat. It’s worth considering which airlines you fly with the most to ensure that you aren’t caught off-guard.

You might also want to choose a lighter bag if you’re planning to use your camera a lot while hiking and performing other physically-demanding activities. And if it’s going to be in areas where there’s a lot of mud, you should think about getting a darker color.

We’ve got a full guide on keeping your camera safe while traveling if you want to maximize how much usage you get from your device in the long run.

3. How Much Equipment Do You Have?

photo of camera lenses on a table

As you become more of an advanced photographer, you might want to add a selection of zoom or prime lenses to your kit. On top of that, you may also consider getting extra camera bodies—and you might even want to try drone photography. As you accumulate more gear, you’ll need to think about how you can store everything—especially while traveling.

Before buying a bag for your camera equipment, you should look at how much equipment you have and ensure that you choose something that’s capable of storing everything. Moreover, it’s worth thinking about whether you’re going to upgrade your gear in the future.

You can use your camera equipment audit as an opportunity to sell anything you don’t need. See our guide on selling, trading, and buying photography gear on MPB if you want to earn some cash or make your next purchase less expensive.

4. Pricing

Photo of a person using a bag next to a camera while holding a memory card

You don’t need an overly expensive camera bag, and you should never buy something you can’t afford. But at the same time, purchasing a bag at the lower end of the scale will often require a trade-off in quality. And in the long run, you might spend more having to replace your bag multiple times.

Pricing will vary depending on where you live and whether you get first-hand equipment or not. Second-hand camera bags are a great way to save money and reduce waste, so it’s worth looking for pre-owned options. You can also ask any photographers you know if they have any spare bags or are willing to sell theirs to you.

If you need to save up for a new bag, consider using these budgeting tools to manage your finances.

5. How Does the Bag Close?

Unfortunately, traveling with a camera can often make you a potential target for theft.

To mitigate the risk of petty crime, choose a bag that closes in a way that makes pickpocketing hard or impossible. For example, you can pick something that has a rollable top—and you might also want to pick a bag that you can strap around your body.

6. What Does the Bag Look Like?

Flat Lay Photography of Camera, Book, Pencil, Bag

Picking a camera bag that looks good isn’t as big a deal as some of the other considerations on our list. But if you don’t choose something that you like, you’re probably not going to use it as often—and as a result, you’re likely wasting your money.

You can find all kinds of styles when looking for camera bags online, including different types of straps and colors. You should also find a good selection if you visit a photography store in person, and the staff will at the very least be able to offer some pointers to help find your style.

If you need some inspiration, start with these stylish and protective camera bags.

7. Potential Extra Accessories

photo of camera gear laid out

Getting a camera bag is a huge step toward protecting your equipment, but you’ll still need to do some manual work to ensure that your gear lasts longer. For example, regularly cleaning dust from your camera bodies and lenses is essential for avoiding needless malfunctions.

When buying a camera bag, check to see if you can get additional accessories as part of your bundle. For example, you might be able to get lens wipes, dust blowers, and rain covers.

Protect Your Equipment With a Good Camera Bag

A lot more effort goes into choosing a camera bag than you might think. Form and function are both essential, and you should pick something that’s waterproof—especially if you plan to capture images on rainy days. Pricing is also worth considering, and you’ll need to think about the sweet spot between affordability and quality.

These considerations are a handy starting point, and you should now be able to make a better buying decision.