The ideal camera bag is comfortable for extended wear, cute, and roomy enough to fit basics and essentials: your DSLR camera (most bags fit the popular Canon and Nikon bodies), an extra battery, a flash, an extra lens, and cleaning supplies. Camera bags need to protect your gear and give a way to transport wherever you need to shoot.
As a female photographer, you might also be looking to consolidate bags. A bag that can also serve as a purse saves you from having to carry both a purse and a camera bag.
Look for small and medium pockets where you can stash your wallet, cell phone, makeup, and other personal items you’d normally carry in your purse. Multiple pockets in smart places also help keep your bag organized.
For style, you want something pretty and maybe even something discreet that doesn’t scream to the world that you’re carrying expensive SLR camera equipment.
Camera Bag Styles
You can choose from several different styles, depending on your preference.
Camera messenger bags and sling camera bags are typically unisex, but you can find some cute styles in feminine or neutral colors, like the Tenba Messenger, or the Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home.
Camera tote bags offer lots of room, but the tradeoff is less versatility in how you carry it. You’re usually limited to shoulder straps.
Camera purses that looks like stylish handbags, like a hobo, satchel, or shoulder bag. Most of these styles come with a removable cross-body strap so you can wear the bag while you shoot.
Protective Features
Any camera bag, whether trendy or utilitarian, should fulfill the basic requirement of keeping your gear secure and safe from damage. Look for a padded bottom that protects your equipment if you set your bag down, as well as padded configurable dividers that keep items from bumping up against each other while inside the bag.
Durability is another important factor when shopping for a stylish camera bag. Extra features like metal feet on the bottom of a bag can protect the bag’s surface and help it last longer. The material (and its water-resistance) makes a difference too.
Accessibility is also critical. If this is a bag you want to shoot out of, then look for styles that open up wide or otherwise grant you easy access to the contents.
Security is critical as well. You want your bag to close securely to protect the gear inside from the elements and from would-be pickpockets.
Price of Fashion Camera Bags for Women
Expect to pay between $150 and $250 for sleek, stylish camera bags that look like a purse. The prices for messenger camera bags start a bit cheaper, but can range anywhere from $80-$200. The two most popular tote bag styles cost about $170 and $230, respectively. Given that all the camera bag styles fall within the $150-$250 price range, price shouldn’t be too big a factor when deciding on a camera bag style.
Compare the Top Women’s Camera Bags
You may have heard about different ladies’ camera bags on blogs and photography forums, or perhaps you’re frustrated with your current camera bag and are looking for a better solution. Compare features of the top brands and styles of DSLR camera bags for women. Consult this list to find out how the the top camera bags stack up. Here’s a quick chart of camera bags for women.
| Material | Main Closure | What Fits in the Bag | Cross-body Strap Included | Fits a 70-200mm lens | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly Moore Mimi Bag | Polyurethane | zipper | 1 Body + 3 lenses | Yes | Yes |
| Jill-e Medium Bag | Leather | zipper | 1 or 2 Bodies + 2 lenses | Yes | Yes |
| Shootsac Tote & Bag | PVC-free polyester | zipper | 1 Body + 3 lenses | No | Yes |
| ONA Venice Camera Bag | Leather | zipper | 1 Body + 3 lenses | No | Yes |
| Emera Bags | Canvas, Polyurethane | zipper | 1 Body + 3 lenses | No | Yes |
