Home > Consumer Reviews > Lowepro Mini Mag AW Camera Bag (Black)

In my search for the "perfect" camera bag, I have finally reached one conclusion: There is no one "perfect" bag! I have too many varied, specialized uses for one single bag to be superior at all simultaneously. However, in my need for a compact, easily carried, "day-trip" bag, the Lowepro Mini Mag AW is the perfect answer. This bag is the perfect size for a casual day out in the field where I don't need my entire compliment of photographic gear. It is not too big to be a burden to carry when fully loaded yet holds enough for a day's shoot.

The Pros are:

Capacity: It is actually surprising how much gear I can put into such a small bag. I can easily fit more than enough for one days work. Main compartment: Canon 20D + grip with an attached EF 24 - 105/4 L, EF-S 10-22 wide zoom, EF 100mm macro, Speedlight 580EX, Remote timer TC80N3, and Giotto air puffer. Front compartment: Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord, extra BP511A Battery Pack, extra CF cards, lens cloths, misc supplies, and manuals for the camera, flash, and timer.

Design: The top-loading design is well thought out and easy to access while carrying without having to set the bag down. The shoulder strap is very comfortable and well padded. In fact it's one of the best shoulder straps I've seen. Fortunately it's detachable, so I now switch it to just about every bag I own!

Build: This thing is built to last - Super heavy material and padding. Outstanding quality throughout. I can easily see this thing lasting for 20 or 30 years! The added all weather rain cover is a nice touch. I used to be a Tamrac buyer but after this bag, I think I'm sold on Lowepro from now on.

Add-ons: The capability to add on the slip-lock accessories was another feature that sold me on this bag. I can easily add lens cases for a larger telephoto zoom like a 70-200 and other cases for misc gear or water bottles.

The only (minor) cons I can find:

After all my raving about Lowepro's quality, wouldn't you know but one of the cord-pulls on the main zipper broke off the first day! However, this looks to be more from a one-time, freak manufacturing defect, not some systematic QC failure from the factory. Nothing that 5 minutes and a little dab of super-glue couldn't fix.

The picture on the Lowepro website clearly shows cinch-down straps on the sides to help secure the slip-lock add on cases. Nothing like that to be found on the one I received! Again, not a big deal, I added a couple of Velcro straps of my own to do the same thing.

This bag looks like a camera bag, thus inviting theft. However, I've found that with the add on water bottle side pouch, this bag is also the perfect size and shape to resemble a soft-sided cooler. In fact, I can take this bag most places and people just assume I'm carrying my lunch. There's no mistaking the larger size version of this bag though. That one just screams: "CAMERA BAG - STEAL ME"!

As I said before, there is no perfect bag for all occasions, but this bag is perfect for the limited day-use that I expect of it. I have a larger, backpack style bag for my main storage and transportation needs, and a smaller, holster style bag for rough hiking where I need to wear the bag on my hip (Lowepro Off Trail 2). But for casual use out and around town or a day at Disneyland, this is the "perfect" camera bag!

I bought this for the "all weather" feature because I travel on a motorcycle with my equipment. On my first trip with it I rode for five hours in steady rain. I was a bit concerned the entire time but when I inspected my camera, all was fine. I'm convinced this can handle anything short of complete submersion. Other features; although a little on the heavy side, the armor gives great protection. "Mini" means just that, one camera, two lenses, flash and a few accessories. Great top-loading layout, and deep enough to keep my telephoto lens on. This is the fourth bag I've bought, the first Lowepro. From here on I'll be buying only Lowepro bags.

I often carry one DSLR body, a flash unit, and extra lens or two. I wanted good protection and ability to "grab and go". This well-made compact bag fits the bill, with the camera cradled lens-down (Nikon D300 very nicely, D3 a bit snug) and easily accessed. Lowepro's slip-lock pouches can be attached to the sides for extra carrying. The front pocket holds the rest - pen, pad, batteries, memory, cords, business cards, etc. It's all very nicely padded, including the shoulder strap. I appreciate the hard plastic "feet" on the bottom. And yes, I got caught in a shower in the field and out came the all-weather cover from it's storage compartment.
I suppose the only "con" I would give this bag is that it "looks like a camera bag".
Like it so much for my own activities, I ordered one for my photography duties at work.

I bought the old Lowe-Pro Mini Mag in 1982. Apart from being 2" too small in Depth for a Pro Series DLSR it has held and still holds my Canon A1 and two lens.

It has been comfortable and looks "almost" new after these 27 years.

Lowe-Pro has been overbuilt and has stood up to it's Lifetime Warranty these many years in the best way. By not needing it.

The New Mini-Mag AW is that little bit bigger to hold a new Pro DSLR. I have to agree there is no Perfect bag. You need a good small one and a good large one. My Large one is a Lowe-Pro Slingshot 300AW.

On the 300AW the zipper pull string plastic end pulled off as it did the other reviewer because it's tab does not quite fit tight enough. So just a little glue...... Lowe-Pro; Change the interference of the fit to get them tight!

But then what camera bag is perfect? I bought this as a carry-on for air travel.

Pros:
- Very good build quality
- Lots of features
- Can be configured several ways
- Offers good protection

Cons:
- Top zipper can be hard to close
- Buckles that attach the lid to the body get in the way
- My Canon 40D with battery grip barely fits

All in all this bag is about what I expected.