There are four main categories of digital camera bags that we are going to consider. They are listed below and I will go into each one of them next and explain what they are with their pros and cons
> camera sleeves
> digital camera pouch
> SLR camera bag / shoulder camera bags
> camera backpacks
First, let's start with the simplest carriers. This category is called: digital camera sleeves. The concept is as simple as it could get. You get a fabric sock for your digital camera, and you get to call it a sleeve, because people feel more comfortable touching a sleeve rather than a sock. But once you look into the architecture of the 'bag' you realize that sleeves are by definition open at both ends, while socks are opened just at one end.
They offer protection against scratches and keep your camera or mp3player or mobile phone looking new and shiny for a long(er) time. They are ideal if you plan to carry your camera in a suitcase, or purse. In short: if you plan on carrying your camera in a larger camera carrier.
+ very light
+ take minimum amount of space
+ low price
- only offer protection against scratches
Next segment is addressed to the point and shoot cameras. Just to make things clear, point and shoot is the name given to the compact digital cameras that usually don't require too much setup before taking a picture. They have a lot of automatic functions and are more user friendly because of that. Ok, the camera bags that carry these point and shoot compacts are called camera pouches.
The camera pouch is more rigid than the sleeve, and thus offers more protection to the contents. The protection comes at the cost of volume and feel, meaning the digital camera pouch is bulkier than the sleeve. Overall this is what I recommend you go for in case you have a compact (without interchangeable lenses) digital camera.
+ bump and scratch protection
+ room for accessories
- rather bulky compared to camera sleeves
It's time to advance to the pros. Perfectly natural, this category of bags is called slr camera bags. They will hold mostly any dSLR camera on the market today and a lens or two. There bags have padded walls, more pockets for accessories, usually a shoulder strap and almost always a quick release buckle and zipper. Here of course you can go for the big players like Tamrac, Lowepro, Crumpler or Kata.
They offer protection against bump and scratches, and some of them are even waterproof.
+ comfortable solution to carry your camera and accessories
+ fits SLR cameras with one or two lenses and accessories
Last but definitely not least is the category of camera backpacks. Of course, here we're not going to go into much detail because this is the domain of experienced photographers, and that goes beyond the purpose of this article.
Camera backpacks, are designed around functionality and have a lot of carrying capacity. Most of them nowadays also have a slot for a laptop. Usually the inside of the backpack has adjustable dividers making it easier for the photographer to strap in his particular equipment.