My “Camera Bag” sistem for bikepacking,

Why Take a Mirrorless Camera?

One question people often ask is: “Why carry a mirrorless camera on a bike trip when a smartphone is so good?”

It’s a fair question.

For me, the answer is simple. Photography is one of the reasons I travel. Taking pictures is not just about recording places; it’s part of the experience itself. Looking for light, waiting for the right moment and composing an image makes me slow down and see places differently.

Of course, carrying a camera only makes sense if it doesn’t become a burden. Every gram matters on a long-distance bicycle trip, so the equipment has to be as light and compact as possible.

A smartphone is more than capable of capturing memories, landscapes and everyday moments. I used my iPhone throughout the journey and it was perfect for many situations. But when I wanted higher image quality, more control or simply the pleasure of using a real camera, I was glad I had brought one.

The Camera

I always travel with a compact mirrorless camera. It offers image quality that clearly exceeds what I can achieve with my phone while remaining small enough to fit easily into my luggage.

For this journey, I carried a lightweight setup with compact prime lenses, including 22 mm, 30 mm and 50 mm equivalents. It gave me everything I needed without adding unnecessary weight.

For me, that’s the balance I’m always looking for: the best image quality I can carry comfortably on a bicycle.

100% Crop Comparison

(24 MP image – iPhone 16 Pro vs Canon M100 with the 22 mm lens)

Looking at both images at 100% magnification, the differences become obvious.

The iPhone relies heavily on computational photography. It produces a very sharp image, but much of that sharpness comes from digital processing. Fine details often show a noticeable “watercolour” effect, with textures that appear smoothed or artificially enhanced. The file may have more megapixels, but that doesn’t necessarily mean better image quality.

That said, I genuinely love my iPhone.

Every new generation continues to impress me. The camera is always with me, the image quality is excellent for everyday photography, and the video capabilities are outstanding. The stabilisation is remarkable, making it an incredibly capable device for both photos and video.

For most people, and for most situations, a smartphone is probably all they need.

For me, however, a dedicated camera still offers something extra that I enjoy every time I press the shutter.

A Camera Bag for Bikepacking

One of the biggest challenges wasn’t choosing the camera—it was finding a safe way to carry it.

I’ve always enjoyed photography, but taking a camera on a bicycle has never been easy. I sweat a lot, and after only a few minutes of riding, almost everything I wear or carry is damp.

Sweat is only part of the problem. During a long bikepacking trip, the equipment is also exposed to dust, mud, rain, road spray and constant vibration. Much of my riding is on gravel tracks and unpaved roads, where the conditions can be surprisingly harsh.

Taking a camera on this kind of journey always involves a small risk. You know it could be damaged at any moment.

For that reason, I wanted a camera bag that was compact, waterproof, resistant to dirt and easy to access while riding. Protecting the equipment without making it difficult to use was just as important as choosing the camera itself.