First off, what is a camera sling bag? A sling bag refers to bag designed much like a backpack but with a single strap worn over one shoulder and across the upper body instead of a strap for each shoulder.
This camera bag type has been getting more and more popular with photographers and filmmakers in recent years, likely because it provides faster and easier access to gear. Rather than taking off a backpack, you can simply swing a sling bag around to access gear. So, let’s do a resource round-up of 10 well-reviewed camera sling bags on the market now. We’ll discuss, in no particular order:
- Think Tank Photo TurnStyle
- BPAULL Camera Sling Bag
- S-ZONE Canvas Camera Sling Bag
- MOSISO Camera Sling Bag
- Chrome Niko Camera Sling
- Peak Design Everyday Sling
- Lowepro Passport Sling Bag
- Neewer Professional Camera Sling Bag
- Incase DSLR Sling Pack
- Timbuk2
Think Tank Photo TurnStyle | best camera sling bag
The Think Tank bags are much loved by photographers and for good reason; their camera bags are high quality, spacious, rugged and look great. Their Photo TurnStyle [Amazon Affiliate Link] bag is light, body conforming and provides more than enough room for standard DSLR cameras. It looks small, but this sling bag can hold a lot of gear.
The Photo TurnStyle is well padded and comes with some adjustable separating pads, so the internal compartments can be customized. Amazon reviewers have noted the bag as being comfortable.
This bag also has a convenient tuck-away stabilizer strap and a tablet sleeve (zippered).
BPAULL Camera Sling | camera sling bag for travel
The BPAULL Camera Sling Bag [Amazon Affiliate Link] is very well reviewed on Amazon. This bag comes with a rain cover and is also made of splash-proof nylon, so it is dustproof and waterproof.
This bag’s triangular design makes it lighter and more convenient than many other bags. The compartment dividers inside the bag are adjustable, lightweight and firm.
The bag is spacious enough to hold a camera body, multiple lenses, batteries and other gear. It is very well padded and can be worn and carried in multiple ways. This is a versatile camera bag that is well suited to traveling.
S-ZONE Canvas Sling Bag | camera sling bag canvas
The S-ZONE Canvas Camera Sling Bag [Amazon Link] is made of high-density durable canvas with shockproof cotton padded dividers, which can be used as a chest bag or backpack. The bag also has a buckle strap on the bottom that can be used to hold, typically, a tripod or monopod.
The S-ZONE bag is relatively small but can hold a camera body, a few lenses and some accessories such as filters, battery memory cards and cables.
Reviewers on Amazon have noted that the bag is comfortable to wear. The bag is also fairly nondescript and casual looking, so it won’t necessarily stand out as a potential target to thieves.
MOSISO Camera Sling Bag | best DSLR sling bag
The MOSISO Camera Sling Bag [Amazon Affiliate Link] is solid in construction and spacious enough to hold a lot of camera gear. The bag contains several compartments for gear such as a camera body, lenses, accessories and personal belongings.
This bag also has an adjustable buckle strap on the bottom to carry a tripod or monopod. This bag comes with a waterproof polyester rain cover.
The bag’s shoulder strap is padded, adjustable and flexible. The sling design makes it fast to turn from your back to the front for easy, quick access to your camera gear.
Chrome Niko Camera Sling | best photo sling bag
The Chrome Niko Camera Sling [Amazon Affiliate Link] from American company Chrome Industries has very good reviews on Amazon and is “made for the streets”, as the company claims. This bag was designed specifically with photographers and filmmakers in mind.
The bag has a sleek black design and its internal compartments can be customized (removable Velcro) to organize your camera gear just as you like it.
The bag is tough, water-resistant and lightweight enough to be used for everyday photography.
Check out this explainer video about the bag from the official Chrome Industries YouTube channel:
Peak Design Everyday Sling | high quality sling bag
The Peak Design Everyday Sling [Amazon Affiliate Link] is described by Peak Design as the “ultimate low-profile, quick-access day bag for light carry and gear minimalists.” The bag has a convertible, reversible strap, so it can be used cross-body or as a waist bag.
This bag was designed specifically with photographers in mind. The bag is small yet spacious enough to hold a camera body, some lenses, batteries, a charger and a few accessories. There are many pockets placed throughout the bag to hold smaller accessories. There is also a tablet sleeve.
The bag has a waterproof shell and is made out of premium mixed-cotton materials.
Lowepro Passport Sling Bag
The Lowepro Passport Sling Bag [Amazon Affiliate Link] offers a modern and versatile way to carry camera and personal gear without looking like a typical photo bag. The bag comes with a "camera box" that can be customized and fitted to any DSLR camera, providing added stability while your camera is in the bag.
The bag's compartment is expandable by up to 30%. A water bottle pocket provides a convenient spot to keep hydration at hand. The detachable shoulder pad offers extra comfort; remove it for a more streamlined, stylish look.
Neewer Pro Camera Sling Bag
The Professional Camera Sling Bag [Amazon Affiliate Link] from Chinese brand Neewer is a good sling bag at an attractive price.
The bag is spacious and can fit a DSLR with an attached medium zoom lens, 1-2 extra lenses, a water bottle, along with some other accessories.
This sling bag contains removable cushion inserts for custom organization of camera gear and comes with a water-resistant rain cover. The bag has a special strap to firmly fasten a tripod; the quick release strap prevents the bag from sliding and moving.
Incase DSLR Sling Pack | best durable sling bag
The Incase DSLR Sling Pack [Amazon Affiliate Link] was designed for photographers who are always in motion, according to Incase Designs. The exterior is crafted with refined, durable “Woolenex” material—a lightweight, lasting blend of abrasion-resistant fabric that repels the elements.
On the inside, there are compartments with customizable dividers to fit a full-frame DSLR, lens, MacBook Air, iPad and multiple accessories.
The form of this bag has a cross-body fit that is comfortable and allows the wearer to slide it from their back to front for complete access to all compartments without having to take the bag off.
Timbuk2 | best mirrorless camera sling bag
The Timbuk2 sling bag [Amazon Affiliate Link] is a smaller version sling bag that is more geared to mirrorless cameras and lighter accessories. This sling bag is ideal for city shooting and light travel photography with non-DSLR cameras.
The bag has a scratch-resistant modular interior that allows for custom organization of camera bodies and lenses. There is a mesh pocket for holding memory cards and cables. The adjustable padded cross-body strap fits all shapes and sizes. The bag’s grab handle makes for easy lifting.
The company Timbuk2, founded in 1989, manufactures these bags in San Francisco.
Photography Insurance | Photographers Insurance | Photography Equipment Insurance
If you end up buying any of these above camera sling bags, chances are that you’re a photographer and/or filmmaker yourself. If that’s the case, you might consider insuring your camera gear.
Front Row’s insurance for photographers (Canada) is a good option for insuring your photo gear against theft, breakage and/or fire. You can get a quote and purchase a policy online in just a few minutes.
The photography insurance online program provides coverage for still photography with a minimal amount of filming.
Get DigiGear Insurance | Film Equipment Insurance | Videographer Insurance | Videography Insurance
If you’re more of a videographer/filmmaker, DigiGear insurance would make sense for you. Front Row’s DigiGear insurance policy (Canada) is a good option for insuring your filmmaking gear, including your film camera(s). Also available online. Quotes in 2 minutes; policies available in 5 minutes. Shop from your phone. If you are in the US, please complete this form.
About: Front Row Insurance Brokers Inc. is an independent insurance broker that specializes in the entertainment industry – specifically, the film and photography industries. Front Row works hard to provide insurance protection for a very low cost. Should a claim occur, Front Row works diligently with clients and insurers to expedite the payment of claims. Offices in: Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, NY, Nashville and LA.
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- TOP LED LIGHTS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS, VIDEOGRAPHERS AND GAFFERS
- HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CAMERA LENS(ES)
- THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHY BACKDROPS
- THE BEST BUDGET CAMERAS FOR FILMMAKING
- THE BEST BUDGET CAMERAS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
- PHOTOGRAPHY THEFT FROM VEHICLE EXPLAINED
- Google web story: The best camera sling bags for photographers
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