Besnfoto Camera Backpack Review - A great bag for day trips or small photoshoots
The story of a new bag
A year ago, I went on a trip to China and had brought a no-name generic ±30L “tactical/military” backpack. That was not that great of an experience for a couple of reasons, as the straps were not good quality, too many shallow compartments and I could not quickly access my camera. I always bring one analog and one digital camera on a trip. This caused me to mainly use my analog camera and only took out the digital on a few occasions, which was rather clumsy.
So, this year I was planning out a new trip to China. The first thing I decided is that I needed a new backpack. With a budget of 150 USD I started looking for backpacks. The amount of possibilities when it comes to camera bags is big! The feature I was mainly looking for was camera side access. Then suddenly the list got slashed by half, as many bags require you to open them on the top to access your camera. I also wanted a top compartment to be able to access items quickly without having to open the bag.
I stumbled upon a few bags; the Peak Design Everyday Backpack, the Wandrd PRVKE 21/31 liter and the Shimoda Explore 30L. Amazing looking bags. But above my budget. Even second hand it was a bit of a stretch. Alright, time to look further and that’s when I saw this bag. 100 USD? That’s relatively cheap for a camera bag. Can’t believe it. Surely it’s not good quality?
After watching a youtube video where somebody shows the “Anti Gravity System” (huh?) feature of this backpack, as well as presenting the weather proof features and the side access. Of course I was immediately sold.
Ordered it from Amazon and it arrived a couple days later. Nicely packed in a box. My first impression was that the bag is very stiff and sturdy, giving off a quality feeling. It is rather heavy too. At first sight, it looked pretty spacious. Even came with a couple of velcro dividers and a few velcro bands. So, currently on trips I bring a Leica M2 and a Sony A7, with a small 35 and a 50. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 camera also comes with me! Started thinking of a layout and put the cameras in. With those dividers (some have some kind of a “hinge”) you could even make doors, giving you possibilities to access items but close that compartment if needed. With this system I could technically always access two cameras if I was already wearing one. Taking the Sony or the Instax out of the bag was no problem if I had the Leica around my neck/shoulder.
The use
According to specifications, this bag is 22 liters. Due to the amount of padding and usage of stiff material I’d consider this more like a 18-20 liter bag. This works great for day trips but as a backpack for travel you might need a bit more. I really had to plan out how to stuff in an extra hoodie for in the airplane or even a book. After putting in two cameras and miscellaneous stuff, there is no space to add food or other items you might buy during your trip. The upside of this is that you will never pack too much when it comes to weight.
It’s a perfect backpack for small photo shoots where you need a camera, two or three lenses and a handful of flashes. It keeps your gear protected, organized and always within reach. The whole thing looks very professional. People often ask me what kind of gear I’m carrying. The material is very stiff, which makes it feel like your cameras are safe inside. It also makes it harder to overpack, which I guess is a blessing and a curse.
The top compartment is quite small and you could fit in a few items here like a mini drone, or a film bag with sun cream, sunglasses case, keys, a wallet and a passport. The compartment is also detachable, if you need the full space for your camera gear.
Cons
There are some things I would improve. The load-lifter straps don’t really do anything useful, as they’re always extended to the longest position, and adjusting them will make them go loose again. Although on the product pictures I see a tripod stuffed into those straps - which is not a bad idea, but you can put a tripod in the water bottle pocket too.
The front pocket is shallow, and I often wished it went a bit deeper. My soundcore Q30 headphones do fit, but the pads will be squished. It’s also missing a good quick-access pocket for things like your passport or wallet.
If you want to get a book out during your flight, you’ll need to open up the whole main compartment. A second side access point on the other side like the PD Everyday Backpack would have been super helpful.
The zipper of the main compartment is a wee bit small. It’s doable but slightly bigger zipper teeth would have made it a bit easier to use.
Pros
But there are some clever design choices too.
Let’s start with the Anti Gravity System. Honestly, it’s what sold me on this bag. Instead of having the shoulder straps stitched flat into the top corners like most backpacks, this bag connects them to a thick elastic panel at the top — almost like a floating hub. This flexible band absorbs and redistributes movement as you walk, making the whole bag feel lighter. It’s a bit hard to explain until you feel it, but the weight doesn’t yank down on your shoulders the way traditional bags do. It feels more balanced and mobile, especially when you’re walking for hours with gear. The difference is very noticable when you walk up or down the stairs. I really do wish there were more bags with this feature.
There’s a solid laptop compartment. I’ve used it for both my M2 MacBook Air and my iPad without issues. There is no false bottom, though. Also very certain a 14” or a 16” MBP could fit. The inner pockets are great for filters or cables. The YKK zippers feel sturdy and the main zipper cannot be opened easily when it’s on your back, which gives some peace of mind in crowded areas. It’s weather proof, so no need to worry when it rains. The water bottle pocket is surprisingly good — fits snug and doesn’t sag. I could even fit two 0.5L bottles. It even has rubber feet on the bottom which give basic protection, although the padding at the bottom is a bit minimal, so better not to drop it.
The back padding is also quite comfortable and breathes quite well, but probably not as well as higher end bags. It’s also very easy to clean as it’s not from canvas, but some kind of tarp-like material.
The bag also comes with two small belts. You can make a cross the belts in the front to stuff in a jacket when it gets warm or hold a tripod. There are loops all over the backpack which gives you flexibility.
In the end, if you want to bring two cameras and a bunch of film during traveling, you might want a slightly bigger bag. But if you’re looking for something compact, protective and very functional for around 100 bucks, this thing punches way above its weight. Now I can easily use multiple cameras without too much friction. That alone makes it worth it. Looking at the cons, they are rather nitpicky and is because this bag is not really intended for travel.
Besnfoto, the brand
Besnfoto is a brand that keeps things simple: well-made camera bags that don’t cost a fortune. Based in China and active since 2007, they focus mostly on backpacks and slings designed for everyday use, whether you’re out in the city or heading off for a weekend trip. The bags are practical, with smart dividers, tripod straps, weatherproof materials, and enough space for a laptop. No flashy gimmicks, just solid gear that does the job. They have quietly built up a following on Amazon, with photographers often surprised by how much quality they get for the price. They also sell tripods and other small accesories.
Conclusion
Very high quality bag, good for day trips or small photoshoots.
If you just need something compact to carry a couple of cameras, some accessories and maybe a jacket, this bag is great. It looks professional, feels sturdy and does what it’s supposed to do. I’m still surprised it only cost me around 100 bucks. The AGS system actually works, the materials feel premium, and it just gives off a reliable vibe.
Of course, it’s not the perfect travel bag. It fills up fast. Once I had my cameras and a few essentials in there, it was basically full. That meant no snacks, barely any space for a hoodie, and definitely no room for anything spontaneous I might’ve picked up along the way. More than once I had to ask my wife if I could stash something in her bag. She wasn’t too thrilled.
So yeah, for travel, I’m still keeping an eye out for something bigger, probably in the 28 to 30 liter range. But for everyday carry, day trips, or a focused shoot where I just bring what I need, this is absolutely solid. So yes, I do absolutely recommend this bag for the above purposes!
TL;DR
Can’t be bothered to read the blog post? Here’s the TL;DR:
- Solid build quality for around $100
- Compact 22L size (feels like 18–20L due to padding)
- Ideal for day trips, short outings, or small photoshoots
- Carries two cameras and accessories comfortably
- Side access to camera gear is quick and practical
- Customizable velcro divider system allows for flexible layout
- Anti Gravity System distributes weight well and adds comfort during long walks
- Weather-resistant materials and YKK zippers feel reliable
- Top compartment useful for small items (wallet, keys, sunglasses)
- Laptop sleeve fits up to 16” laptops, no false bottom though
- Rubber feet on the bottom help protect the bag when placing it down
- Load-lifter straps are ineffective and don’t stay tight
- Front pocket is shallow and tight for bulkier items
- No second side access or quick-access passport/wallet pocket
- Main zipper is on the small side
- Not ideal for travel – fills up fast with gear, limited room for extras like snacks, hoodie, or a book
- Better suited as an everyday carry or for focused shoots, not extended travel
- Overall, great value and performance for the price if you pack light
