The Canon 200EG Deluxe Photo Backpack allows you to safely transport your camera & equipment.
Since cameras and photography equipment tend to be expensive, it is really important to be able to transport your all your gear safely from place to place. The best way to ensure this is to purchase a backpack or case that is specifically designed to hold a camera such as a DSLR as well as the various accessories you may also need. Today, I am taking a look at the affordable Canon 200EG Deluxe Photo Backpack.
The Good
There are a couple of great things about this bag that pursued me to purchase it. First off, the price is really affordable considering some competitors are priced at $150+. I wanted something I could wear like a regular backpack and that would store my DSLR (and a few lenses) safely and securely through future transportation. I didn't need all the bells and whistles that these super expensive bags so settling for a price tag of under $50 was very appealing to me.
Secondly, is the vast amount of storage and pockets that this backpack contains. The large compartment as seen above can easy hold a DSLR body, 2-4 lenses, a flash, and some filters. The only gripe I'd have with this is that I would like to have seen some sort of safety strap on each compartment as I think it'd be nice to have the extra reassurance of keeping your lenses secured in place when the pocket is open. The smaller outer pocket is great for little accessories such as memory cards, lens cleaning supplies, and extra batteries. I did not anticipate being able to hold as much gear as I am able to until I really got to try it out for myself. I'm guessing for the average photographer this will be more than enough storage space to carry the essential gear you need on the go.
The overall protection of your gear is satisfying and my bag has taken the occasional fall off a table or bump into a wall and I have yet to see any of the gear stored inside get damaged. I don't expect this bag to be very weatherproof, but in terms of protecting your stuff from the everyday wear and tear it does its job fairly well. The back is also lightweight on its own and even when it is filled with gear the overall weight is not unbearable. Lastly, I really liked the built-in tripod holder at the bottom which is super convenient and easy to use (see photo below).
The Bad
To be honest, when I received the bag there were some obvious complaints from I had from the beginning. The largest and most significant complaint is the fact that the bag is brutally uncomfortable and awkward feeling when it is worn like a standard backpack. The back sits in the high on the center of my back and sticks out significantly when fully loaded with gear. I think the reason for this is the way the shoulder straps are sewn onto the bag itself. Wearing the backpack for extended period of time can be a real unpleasant experience, but for the low price point I guess I cannot complain too much on the comfort end of things.
I also observed that the zippers themselves are noticeably “loose” meaning it doesn't take all that much pressure to unzip. This could be a nightmare if you brush up against someone or something unintentionally only to have the pocket open up and have a piece of equipment fall out to either get lost of damaged. The build material of the backpack itself is rather rough and seems awfully cheap which likely is why it is so affordable. The added front chest strap is rather pointless and doesn't really add any comfort or sense of security to wearing the backpack. Depending on how often it is used and how it is stored, I would not be surprised if this bag ends up falling apart over the course of a year or two.
Secondly, the fact that it states “Canon” so obviously on the bag it can be a real concern as a target for potential thieves. The brand is so popular and widely known that practically anyone can put two and two together to realize there likely is expensive camera equipment inside so it is definitely not the type of bag I would ever want to leave unattended.
Lastly, the look of the backpack in my personal opinion is flat out ugly. It looks like it could be one of those bland and boring backpacks made for hiking or outdoors. The overly boxy design and color combination in person comes off rather cheesy and gives off a cheap feel to me. It wasn't until I received it and tested it out that I realized that it made me felt kind of embarrassed to be wearing the backpack in public.
Conclusion
The Canon 200EG Deluxe Photo Backpack looks pretty appealing and like a great choice to most buyers at first glance. I love the storage potential and built-in tripod holder, but the overall the low level of comfort, cheap build material, and poor design make this product a recommended pass for potential buyers. My recommendation is to hold off on this product and decide to spend just a little bit more for an alternative such as the Lowepro Flipside 300 or Lowepro Fastpack 250 backpack. In my opinion comfort is king and in this product you get what you pay for in that regard.
