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Lowepro Tahoe BP 150: Quick Overview
Many photographers often feel the urge to take as much equipment as possible, wanting to ensure they have everything needed for every circumstance. The top camera bags usually allow for this, enabling you to hold all your lenses and accessories, minimizing the risk of missing a moment.
However, the Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 takes a different approach. It’s a compact backpack designed to hold just the essentials for shooting, along with a few extra items. This limitation means that those with a passion for photography might need to leave some lenses behind. Yet, the advantage lies in its high portability.
Furthermore, it strikes a balance between functionality and cost. Being one of the more affordable Lowepro backpacks, the Tahoe BP 150 offers a straightforward option for carrying a streamlined photography setup while traveling. Notably, for its price, it makes very few sacrifices.
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While the main compartment may seem small, smartly arranged dividers allow you to optimize the space. The upper third has a zippered pocket that is securely stitched, featuring a flexible base that can be adjusted using Velcro tabs. The padded walls also allow for customization of the rest of the compartment.
Depending on your shooting style, you might find it useful to experiment with the positioning of these dividers to create a configuration that fits your equipment perfectly. With some trial and error, you’ll see that the Tahoe BP 150 can hold considerably more than you might initially think; although including more small dividers would enhance its adaptability even further.
As it stands, this bag can comfortably accommodate an APS-C mirrorless camera body with a prime lens attached, in addition to a telephoto lens and a standard zoom lens, plus a charger, with some extra space remaining. You could even fit in a pancake lens…
including a lens and a compact flashgun. The larger DSLR bodies can make it a bit cumbersome, and for those passionate photographers with high-end lenses, the space can quickly become limited.
Despite being a lightweight travel backpack, Lowepro has designed it thoughtfully. Inside the main flap, there’s a slot for SD cards, while the front panel is angled to optimize space in the secondary pocket, which contains a key clip, pockets for extras, and a sleeve that fits a 13-inch MacBook Air.
For tripod transport, there are elastic mesh pockets on either side of the backpack, along with clips to hold tripods in place. However, due to the shallow depth of these pockets, it’s advisable to only use mini-tripods on the outside of the Tahoe BP 150.
A minor design flaw is the placement of the tripod clips. They attach across the main compartment zipper, requiring removal every time you need to access your camera equipment. This isn’t the quickest-access bag, and constantly unzipping can become tedious.
That said, the LowePro Tahoe BP 150 excels in practicality, cost-efficiency, and protection. Despite its smaller size, the bag is well-padded where it matters. While I wouldn’t want to toss it around on a baggage carousel, I felt my equipment was safe while wearing it.
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The straps and back panel also provide comfort. While it isn’t as technical as the Lowepro PhotoSport BP 24L AW III, it offers enough cushioning for a fully-packed journey.
From the zippers to the stitching, the entire bag feels robust—something we expect from Lowepro, and it’s a great value for the price. Notably, the Tahoe BP 150 only weighs 800g, making it one of the lightest camera bags available.
However, it lacks a rain cover. Although the backpack can withstand light rain, it isn’t fully waterproof. Yet, given its affordability, purchasing a third-party rain cover for heavier downpours is an option.
If you’re looking for a straightforward backpack without unnecessary features and compact enough for travel, the LowePro Tahoe BP 150 is a solid choice. While other camera bags may offer more space and versatility, this one gets the essentials right at an attractive price.
Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 review: price
The Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 is readily available…
The Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 has been on the market since 2015. Initially, it was available for about $95 / £85 / AU$175. Over the years, its price has seen several reductions, currently selling online for approximately $75 / £65 / AU$100.
Price tracking websites indicate that the Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 often gets discounts during sales like Amazon Prime Day. While it already offers good value as a camera bag, you might want to wait for seasonal sales for potentially better deals.
This backpack comes in four colors: blue (which we examined), black, red, and green (featuring an urban camouflage design).
Specifications of the Lowepro Tahoe BP 150
External dimensions | 27.5 x 21.7 x 40.3cm |
Internal dimensions | 25.5 x 12.8 x 36cm |
Weight | 800g |
Total volume | 11L |
Carry-on friendly | Yes |
Tablet sleeve | Yes |
Waterproofing | Water-resistant |
Should I Purchase the Lowepro Tahoe BP 150?
Consider Buying If…
Avoid Buying If…
Alternatives to the Lowepro Tahoe BP 150
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 | Lowepro PhotoSport BP 24L AW III | Mindshift Backlight 26L |
|---|---|---|---|
External dimensions | 27.5 x 21.7 x 40.3cm | 27 x 22 x 50cm | 29 x 51.5 x 20cm |
Internal dimensions | 25.5 x 12.8 x 36cm | 26 x 13 x 48cm | 26 x 49 x 15cm |
Weight | 800g | 1500g | 1800g |
Total volume | 11L | 24L | 26L |
Carry-on friendly | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tablet sleeve | Yes | No | Yes |
Waterproofing | Water-resistant | Rain cover | Rain cover |
Evaluating the Lowepro Tahoe 150
- Loaded with a DSLR, two lenses, and additional gear
- Carried daily for two weeks
- Tested in various weather situations
In my assessment of the Lowepro Tahoe BP 150, I focused on its practicality for diverse photographers. I began by filling it up to understand its capacity. I experimented with fitting both APS-C and DSLR camera setups inside, adjusting the internal dividers multiple times to explore different configurations of camera bodies, lenses, and accessories.
I also stuffed the Tahoe BP 150 with numerous accessories, such as a mini tripod on the side and a laptop in the front sleeve. This was not only to determine how much gear it could realistically hold but also to gauge the comfort level when carrying a fully-loaded bag.
Keeping this in mind, I wore the Tahoe on my back every day for several weeks. This hands-on experience provided insights into how the Tahoe BP 150 handles during work and travel, including the accessibility of its various pockets and compartments. I also tested the backpack in a variety of weather conditions to evaluate its water-resistance.
First reviewed June 2025
