Stylish Camera Bags: A Guide to the Best Purses, Crossbody & Backpacks
Shopping For Your Stylish Camera Bag
You’ve invested in a camera, so why not invest in a stylish camera bag, stylish camera backpack, or one of each to match your different outfits or different purposes. You’ll need a different camera bag if you’re just photographing around your town versus traveling abroad. If you’re headed on a trip to Europe or Asia you’ll need one of the best camera bags for travel.
If you’re like me—and since you’re reading my blog I think you might be, you’re not going to settle for any run-of-the-mill ugly camera bag. There are so many choices when it comes to stylish camera bags now that you don’t have to settle.
Read on to find the best stylish camera bag for you. I’ve broken down this cute camera bags guide into sections by camera bag type to make it for you to find what you are looking for. If you need a stylish camera backpack, a camera bag that looks like a purse, a crossbody camera bag just scroll to that section below.
The Best Camera Bags For Women
You cannot put your expensive DSLR/SLR camera in just any ol’ bag. But to be honest, that’s what my photographer and I were doing way back in the day. While traveling around Europe, we came to regret not having a stylish camera bag for our lenses, disks, and camera body. I often found myself wrapping the camera in a scarf and stuffing it in my purse so it at least had a little protection.
When I began researching camera bags I quickly because overwhelmed and disappointed by the amount of ugly camera bags. Yes, they were very huge and useful but I was looking for a camera bag that would protect my camera gear and was cute enough to wear all the time. When you’re traveling that is the one bag that will never leave your side so it needs to be something that is easy to carry and matches all your outfits, this includes cute fall outfits to summer outfits. I was searching for the most stylish camera bags and I know many of you might be looking for the same thing.
Here are the best stylish camera bags for women I’ve found. These are the ones I wish I had in my travel arsenal to both look great and protect my camera equipment. I’ve rounded up the best for you below!
Camera Bag Purse
This is exactly how it sounds, a camera bag that looks like a purse. A love a stylish camera purse because it’s a style that you could wear any day of the week. This is a great option if you take your camera with you everywhere and want to make sure it’s secure. With a stylish camera purse, you have the padding inside to protect your camera and you can adjust or remove the padding slips to leave room for your everyday necessities.
The following are the best options that I found for camera bag purses.
Aide de Camp – Nadine Travel Camera Bag
I really like this cute camera bag option from Aide de Camp because it really just looks like a stylish tote bag. It comes with a removable camera insert so really when you don’t need to carry your camera equipment just remove the insert and use it as your everyday bag. This is perfect because you’ll get more use out of these stylish camera bags instead of just once in a while. I also love the color options it comes in and once useful feature is that strap it has on the side of the tote so you can secure it on your carry on luggage and not worry about it while getting from point A to B.
CaiulBasic Instax Mini
OK, I had to include this because the Fujifilm Instax Mini is all over the place. If you have that little camera then you need a camera bag for it and this is it. Yes I know it’s not a large camera bag but it’s perfect for a gift to your little sister or other younger relative. The fact that this popular camera has a camera bag just for it, is the reason it’s on this list! Not to mention it’s a very cute camera bag as well and it has 300 reviews with a 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Stylish Camera Backpack
A stylish camera backpack is a great option when you have more than one lens or you’re in a situation where you don’t want to fuss with a camera purse or crossbody. These hold a lot more than a camera purse, usually, two lenses, your camera body, a laptop and they sometimes have little pockets for your batteries and memory chips. If you know you need a stylish camera bag that you can take with you everywhere and you have more than one lens or camera body, these options below might be for you.
ONA – The Camps Bay – Camera Backpack
This Ona camera backpack is on my photographer’s wish-list! The Camps Bay backpack comes in smoke gray or field tan waxed canvas with dark truffle leather straps and detailing, or a more utilitarian black nylon (which, to be honest, isn’t near as cute).
Inside are adjustable dividers that can hold your camera and up to 7 lenses or other camera equipment (or your wallet and makeup bag!). There is even a slot for your laptop, so you can edit your photos while sipping a cappuccino at a streetside cafe. (I know, I’m dreaming here!) And when you aren’t using it as a camera bag, it would make a pretty stylish commuter backpack.
Peak Design Everyday Backpack
The Peak Design Everyday Backpack is the stylish camera backpack that I am currently using, we actually have a couple of stylish camera bags when traveling. We are traveling around the world and I needed a camera bag that would hold my laptop, camera gear and lots of cords and cards. I keep finding something unique in this bag and I love that it holds so much but it’s not clunky. It’s sleek design and innovative detailing really makes it a great camera bag. I know it’s not very feminine but the fact that it’s sleek and neutral is why I like it so much.
I’ve used this camera backpack from our trip to Austin to Australia to Japan to Indonesia to all around Europe to Canada and back to Austin and it does not have one rip or thread lose. It’s easy to use, it kept all my gear safe and it can hold a lot!
Camera Backpack by GOgroove
This Camera Backpack by GOgroove is similar to the peak design above but it has less options in my option. It also has a softer style because of the color and material. The great thing about this camera bag is the side access. If you need your camera in a giffy the side option is great. The camera backpack I use has the side option and I use it a lot.
Crossbody Camera Bag
A crossbody camera bag is a great option if your gear is not too heavy or you don’t have a lot to carry. Since most of the camera bag weight will be supported with one shoulder it can cause you to get a little tired. So if you have more than one body or more than a couple of lenses I would suggest getting one of the camera backpacks above.
If you only have one smaller camera body and one or two lenses then a crossbody camera bag will work for you. Most of these also have a slot for your laptop which is a great detail. Because if you are traveling and need to import your photos to your computer having a place to keep your laptop safe is important. If you know you will use your laptop all the time, make sure that the camera bag you buy can fit your laptop as well.
ONA – The Brixton
This Ona camera bag is one that Peter used for a long time! While it is one of the pricier camera bags on this list, it really is high-quality and durable. A classic crossbody camera bag, it is easy to carry by hand or across your shoulder. The Brixton comes in chestnut or black leather, both neutrals that match easily with a wardrobe. It can hold your camera and 3 lenses, as well as having a pocket for your phone or tablet and a space for your wallet. Perfect for travel, and no one will know what’s inside this stylish camera bag because it doesn’t look like a camera bag.
Travel Vintage Crossbody Shoulder Bag
This is a vintage style crossbody camera bag that fits a standard size DSLR with a lens. This crossbody bag would look very stylish with a pair of jeans and a tee or a fun dress. It really is cute and has a lot of personality. And as you can see it has a removable insert so when you don’t need your camera gear you can just remove it.
Topixdeals Vintage Camera Bag
If you need a crossbody camera bag without much fuss then the Topixdeals Vintage Camera Bag is for you! If you like to wear skirts, dresses, floral prints with a vintage feel then this would match your outfits perfectly. The other great thing about it is that it’s neutral in color so you can wear this camera bag with almost any outfit and it will look stylish.
Camera Shoulder Bag Evecase
I think this is a very cute crossbody camera bag. It’s petite for perfect for a little camera. This is a neutral so it matches a lot of outfits and it’s very very affordable. With 151 reviews and 4.4 out of 5 stars, it’s a good option if you need something that is easy to carry everywhere around town. This is not a camera bag I would take with me on a trip but something I would use when photographing around town.
Best Camera Bags for Travel
When you’re traveling you need a stylish camera bag that you can rely on. You need a purse, backpack or a crossbody camera bag that is comfortable, fits all of your gear, durable, water resistant, and enough padding to protect your camera gear. It should also include a space for your laptop, batteries, memory cards, and other travel necessities like your wallet, passport, external drive, and a water bottle.
This is the list that I had when I was evaluating bags trying to find the best camera bag for travel. As I mentioned above I settled on the Peak Design Everyday Backpack. It has everything I need and more. I used all of the little slots on the side pockets and I love the adjustable flap, so when the backpack was very full I am still able to keep it closed. This small camera backpack is perfect for me because I don’t carry a lot of camera gear.
On the other hand, Peter has a huge camera backpack. It looks like a hiking rucksack it’s so big. I didn’t include it in the top stylish list because, to be honest, it’s not very stylish or cute. But I will include it here as one of the best camera bags for travel because it really is. If you have a lot of camera gear and you only want to carry one bag then this is it, the f-stop – Tilopa Bundle. I don’t use this giant camera backpack, it’s too heavy for me to have on my back while traveling but if your husband or boyfriend is looking for something this is what I recommend.
Which Stylish Camera Bag Do You Use?
Do you already have a stylish camera bag? If yes, then lets us know in the comment what you think of it to help others looking to add one to their camera gear! If you have used one of the camera bags listed above let us know what you think of it and if you would purchase it again because of the quality and usability.
Also, if there is a brand that I missed please let me know so I can keep this resource updated with the best camera bags available.
Stay Stylish,
-V
