Camera Bags and Cases: Soft, Hard and Fitted

Fitted pouch, divided bag or hard case

Choose the case by how the gear travels. A fitted pouch or body case holds one camera model and keeps it clean in a larger bag. A padded shoulder bag or backpack with adjustable dividers carries a body, several lenses and accessories, and you set the layout. A hard case with a seal and foam suits transport, flights and wet or dusty sites, at a cost in weight. Soft lens cases protect a single telephoto. Decide what must be inside before choosing the type.

Internal dimensions, padding and weather sealing

Always check internal dimensions, not the outside size, and measure your camera with the lens and hood attached. Listings give dimensions in inches, sometimes both inside and outside. Look for thick padding on the corners and base, a lid that does not press on the screen, and straps or handles rated for the load. Water-resistant fabric helps in drizzle, while a closed hard case with a gasket and pressure valve keeps out heavy rain, and some are rated for brief immersion; a camera you shoot with in a downpour still needs a rain cover.

Questions about Camera Bags and Cases: Soft, Hard and Fitted

How do I pick the right size camera bag?

Measure your kit laid out: body with lens attached, spare lenses, flash and batteries. Add a little room for dividers and padding, and choose a bag whose internal size covers that. A bag that is too tight crushes gear; one that is too loose lets it shift.

Can I take a camera bag on a plane?

Most soft backpacks and small hard cases fit under a seat or in overhead bins, but dimensions and weight limits differ by airline. Check the case's outside size against your airline's cabin limit before you travel.

What is pick-and-pluck foam?

It is a foam block scored into a grid of small cubes that you tear out to shape cavities around each item, so the case fits your camera, lenses and accessories snugly. Plan the layout first, because removed cubes are hard to put back.