Photography equipment is expensive, and sometimes you just need some reliable gear that won’t wipe out your savings. Amazon Basics offers a range of affordable camera bags, tripods, and other accessories that I’m going to review today.
I won’t be holding anything back when I look at this gear. As a fellow photographer, I know that cheap gear that’s just going to break is only going to cost me more down the road.
Quality comes first even for Amazon Basics!
A few of these items could rival the most expensive big-name brands for their quality while some others left quite a bit to be desired.
I’m going to start things off with my pick for the clear quality winner.
What are the Best Amazon Basic Products for Photographers in 2024?
Amazon Basics Large Camera Backpack
This backpack was honestly pretty great.
Pros
Stylish color and design
Bright orange interior makes it easy to find gear
Pockets designed for easy access
Very durable and built to last
Roll top design is a plus
Plenty of straps for added comfort
Fits all the gear you need for most shoots
Cons
Style might not fit in everyone’s wardrobe
More color options would be nice
The Amazon Basics large camera backpack is easily my pick for the best piece of photography equipment that the brand currently has.
This backpack could go head-to-head with any other bag in its weight class.
I took this bag for a day of walking around the city and shooting, and it was a breeze to access all of my gear without having to fuss with too many awkward pockets.
I also never felt like anything was going to tumble around or fall off, even when juggling gear during a shoot.
The color and overall style are perfect for my general vibe, but I can understand how other photographers might not like this particular look.
I was most impressed with the overall durability of the bag. I had my reservations about the quality of an Amazon brand, but this bag set the tone right and was something that I felt could last me a few years at least.
While the bag itself might not be waterproof, the included rain cover makes up for that!
Amazon Basics Micro SDXC Memory Card
Pros
Lots of storage
Very affordable
Decently fast
Build looks sturdy
Cons
Not the best choice for high-end video
The Amazon Basics Micro SDXC Memory Card was an interesting piece of photography equipment to review and the results were pretty much what I was expecting.
This is an excellent cheap SDXC card for any photographer caught in a pinch or working on a tight budget.
I tested this SDXC card both in camera as well as by putting it through some stress testing.
I used the Blackmagic Disc Speed Test utility to put some pressure on this little memory card and see if it could stand up.
Overall great speed from this little SDXC card.
The results show that it did a decent job in terms of overall speed and the ability to handle video.
However, if you’re shooting anything above 1080p HD, I’d recommend getting a card that can handle that kind of workload.
These restrictions won’t be as big of a deal for most photographers who only shoot stills. However, if you’re shooting large files in burst mode, you might want to also investigate picking up a more capable SDXC card.
Amazon Basics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod With Bag
Pros
Very affordable for features
Could support most basic camera setups
Head rotates and tilts easily, which is good for video
Articulated feet help you get level shots on rough terrain
Cons
Joints in the head have a tendency to slip when not tightened to the max
Build quality feels a bit flimsy
Tripods are another category of gear that photographers break on a pretty regular basis.
There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a wedding or a wildlife shoot and having one of your tripod legs break.
Amazon Basics tripods fill a niche for a cheap replacement tripod that you can get quickly or a budget model that you can use for some entry-level photography.
The Amazon Basics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod is decent quality for its price. You’ll have no problem leveling off your shots and I feel like this tripod can definitely support light to medium weight cameras.
I tried testing this tripod with the bulkiest camera setup that I own, and I definitely don’t recommend trying that one out at home.
Things got a little wobbly and I, personally, would be a little worried trusting this thing with thousands of dollars of glass.
A few of the joints had a tendency to slip around when not tightened to their absolute maximum, so you might have to get the feel for this tripod before relying on it during a busy shoot.
Overall, it’s a great budget option with plenty of features – just watch out for those cost-saving quirks.
Amazon Basics Aluminum Light Photography Tripod Stand with Case
Pros
Great for supporting bounce cards and lightweight setups
Build quality was sturdy for its weight class
Joints locked and held tightly
Very lightweight
Cons
Not suitable for large or heavy lights
I tested out the Amazon Basics Aluminum Light Photography Tripod Stand in my home studio, because that’s the setting where a light stand like this is going to see the most work.
I occasionally take stands like this outdoors for a shoot when I need to support a bounce card, but more often than not, I’m working with another photographer or an assistant for shoots like that.
I was pretty impressed with this tripod stand. It’s cheap, lightweight, and perfect for supporting light modifiers or even small lights.
I tested this out with one of my larger studio lights without any modifiers and it did a pretty decent job of supporting things.
I will say that this light stand is definitely not suitable for anything too heavy-duty. Even though you could put some sandbags down through the base for extra support, I always recommend heavy-duty stands for heavy-duty equipment.
Amazon Basics Lightweight Mini Tripod
Pros
Lightweight
Nearly pocket-sized
Cons
Ball head fell down on a regular basis
Legs did not lock in place
On the other hand, the Lightweight Mini Tripod is an Amazon Basics photography product that I was not very impressed with.
It’s a cute little light stand, but I can’t see getting much use out of this thing.
Even supporting a camera that’s around the weight of a modern point-and-shoot, the ball head kept falling down. The locking mechanism just couldn’t keep things in place.
The legs have the same problem. There’s no way to lock them in place, which means that this thing has a tendency to wobble or fall down when it’s not perfectly balanced.
This would be a good option for supporting a smaller camera or an interesting shooting setup if you need an extremely low-profile tripod.
However, this feels like more of a novelty than a tripod most photographers will get much out of.
Amazon Basics 50-inch Lightweight Camera Mount Tripod Stand With Bag
Pros
Ultra-budget option
Cool color choice
Great for most light or medium setups
Could even be used for budget video
Cons
Construction is a little flimsy
Would like to see a bag or weight hook
The Amazon Basics 50-inch Lightweight Camera Mount Tripod puts us back into the conversation of what makes a good budget tripod.
You want to save money, get a tripod that can stand up to some use, and most of all, protect your photography equipment that the tripod will be supporting.
This tripod gets 2.5 out of 3 of those right. I can’t imagine getting this tripod for as cheap as Amazon is selling it for from any other brand.
Even though the build quality is a little flimsy, this thing can definitely stand up to some use, and you’re going to get your roughly-$15 worth.
I would like to see a bag or a weight hook added to a newer model of this tripod. If you’re going to be supporting something like a 70 to 200 mm lens, then you need to be able to counterbalance that kind of weight.
The reason so many photographers wind up spending $300 on a tripod is because that tripod will be supporting $3,000 of camera equipment.
A few of those basic stability features would go a long way even on a budget model like this.
Amazon Basics Medium Point and Shoot Camera Case
Pros
Strong build quality
Very attractive design
Utility pocket
One-size-fits-most cross-body strap
Cons
Too small for most cameras
Front pocket also very small
The Amazon Basics Medium Point and Shoot Camera Case is a bag that I desperately wanted to love.
I am a big fan of these small point-and-shoot camera bags. They are perfect for carrying a credit card, an extra battery, and one of my smallest cameras for a laid-back day of shooting with friends.
However, I honestly feel that the Amazon Basics Medium Point and Shoot Camera Case is just too small. I tried this with a few point-and-shoot cameras as well as a 110 film camera, and I really had to jam things in there to get stuff to fit.
The Amazon Basics Medium Point and Shoot Camera Case could definitely fit smaller point-and-shoot cameras as well as interesting toy digital cameras, but it’s not going to fit every point-and-shoot camera out there.
If the dimensions were just a half-inch to an inch bigger in any direction, this bag would have been a clear winner.
I’d still recommend this if you’re looking for a fun little bag for your point-and-shoot, but definitely measure things out first before you buy.
Amazon Basics Large DSLR Gadget Bag
Pros
Great for hauling key equipment between shoots
Easily slots into my bag loadout as a bag for backup bodies and more lens options
Sling design allows for more mobility
Extra pockets for more storage
Rubber feet keep the bag off the ground and add stability
Cons
The bag is a little tricky to open while wearing
While a lot of the names for Amazon basic products feel like they were generated by an algorithm, the “gadget” in Amazon Basics Large DSLR Gadget Bag really hits the nail on the head.
When I first got my hands on this bag, I knew it was going to be a great option for hauling around equipment that I didn’t want in my main photography bag.
This is the perfect choice for carrying your backup bodies, extra lenses, and all the gear you don’t want cluttering up your main bag.
I could see this bag being a great choice for photographers for running to the studio or anyone going to a wedding shoot who doesn’t feel like hauling all of their extra equipment around during a 15 hour day.
The Amazon Basics Large DSLR Gadget Bag has more than enough pockets, and honestly, I ran out of stuff to practically store in this bag before I ran out of pocket space.
One of my favorite features was the rubber feet on the bottom. These little feet allow the bag to be slightly off the ground and more stable when you’re taking your gear in and out.
The only real issue I have is that it’s a little difficult to open this bag while wearing it with the crossbody strap.
Besides that one minor issue, this is overall a pretty great bag.
Amazon Basics Backpack for SLR Cameras and Accessories
Pros
Holds a day or weekend’s worth of gear easily
Extra padding was great to see
The backpack fits comfortably
Extra pockets for memory cards a plus
Cons
A square design could accommodate more gear
Inner flap pockets were a bit tight
Here’s another bag that I was really surprised by.
The Amazon Basics Backpack for SLR Cameras and Accessories is going to be a solid option for anyone who needs a decent sized gear bag for weddings, lightweight travel photography, or just hauling your gear from shoot to shoot.
I was able to pack in a large camera body, a telephoto lens, and a trustworthy prime with room to spare for a cleaning kit and some lights. This thing definitely isn’t short on room for its size.
The inner flap pocket was great for storing memory cards and some parts of my cleaning kit, but the pockets can get a little tight, which limits their utility.
My only substantive complaint about this bag is that the design could be a little bit more photographer-forward. While the rounded corners give a traditional backpack silhouette, squared edges are ideal for storing photography equipment and could have let me pack in another lens or some other gear.
Overall, however, if you’re looking for a travel bag that won’t eat into your travel budget, this is a great option.
Amazon Basics Small Hard Camera Carrying Case
Pros
Rivals the top-name brands
Easily customized foam interior
Protected label
Feels incredibly durable
1-meter, 30-second waterproofing at IP67
Cons
Amazon branding might not be for everyone
The Amazon Basics Small Hard Camera Carrying Case is another one of my standout pics from the Amazon Basics line of photography gear.
While I had some complaints about the tripods being a little less than durable, this thing is built like a tank.
I honestly had a hard time spotting too many differences between the Amazon Basics hard-shell case and ones from expensive brands like Pelican. This thing seems built to last.
I definitely feel safe using this to carry my most expensive lenses or camera bodies on long trips.
The IP67 waterproofing is independently tested and, after checking this thing out, I feel confident that it can actually stand up to some serious water and wear.
If you’ve been looking for a hard-shell case and don’t want to spend name-brand money, this is the one.
Other Options for Cheap Photography Gear
Amazon Basics isn’t the only game in town if you’re looking for some affordable photography equipment.
Every photographer needs a few pieces of budget gear in their kit and you’d be surprised at how long cheap photography equipment can last.
I still regularly use plenty of Neewer brand photography gear to this day when I originally only bought it as a budget option.
Neewer and Emart are a few options you can consider next time you’re shopping for some cheap camera gear.
Another solid option that I always recommend is to shop secondhand, whether it’s at B&H, KEH, or just on eBay. You can often find last year’s model of name brand photography gear for a fraction of the price of new equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Amazon Basics Photography Gear
What is Amazon Basics?
Amazonbasics is a private label brand. This means that these products are manufactured for and sold directly by Amazon, often alongside competitors in the photography gear market. These products are typically more affordable than their name-brand counterparts.
Why is Amazon Basics so cheap?
Amazon Basics is a private label owned and sold directly by Amazon. This allows the company to keep the prices down by lowering advertising, production, and other costs typically associated with the retail market.
Is photography gear from Amazon Basics worth it?
Amazon Basics photography equipment is priced at a discounted rate compared to competitors. While you will definitely be seeing a drop in quality compared with high-end brands like Manfroto or Peak Design, Amazon Basics gear is often worth the price.
Amazon Basics for Photographers — Wrapping Up
Amazon Basics offers a great set of products for photographers to pick up decent quality gear at a discount price. This is a solid option for anyone looking to get started with some new equipment on a budget or if you’re traveling for a shoot and your trusty tripod breaks at the last minute.
Got more questions about budget photography gear? Let me know down in the comments and I’ll make sure to answer your questions in a future article.
