Amateur Photographer verdict

Vanguard’s VEO Metro compact camera bags are some of the best you can buy for small cameras right now. They come in two well-judged sizes, offer decent protection, look good, and are affordable too.
Pros
  • Well-judged sizes for popular compact cameras
  • Useful array of carrying options
  • Well-made and feel decently protective
  • Nice range of attractive colours
Cons
  • Exposed zip may be vulnerable to heavy rain
  • Front pocket isn’t very useful

Compact cameras with built-in lenses have experienced something of a revival over the past year or two. However, it hasn’t necessarily been easy to find suitable small camera bags or cases that offer both a decent level of protection and a touch of style, without breaking the bank. Vanguard is now aiming to change that, though, with its VEO Metro Compact Camera Bags.

Vanguard VEO Metro compact camera bags at a glance:

  • £20 (small), £29 (medium) vanguardworld.co.uk
  • Choice of four colours
  • Three carrying methods
  • Medium: 100 x 95 x 150mm (external), 80 x 70 x 130mm (internal) Small: 85 x 75 x 135mm (external), 70 x 50 x 115mm (internal)
  • vanguardworld.co.uk

Note: at the time of writing, these bags did not appear to be available in the USA

These cases maintain a similar aesthetic to the firm’s excellent Veo Metro backpacks. They’re constructed from coated polyester fabric, with a water-resistant zip closure. They come in several attractive colours, with beige, cream, and burgundy alongside the regulation black.

Vanguard VEO Metro compact camera bags: key features

  • Four colours: Four colours are available: Cream, Beige, Black or Burgundy
  • Three pockets: There’s a front slip pocket, plus two internal pockets for small accessories
  • Three carrying options: Three carry options are available: a clip, a belt loop, and an easily detachable shoulder strap
  • Single zip opening: A single large zip opening extends around the top and sides of the bag
Vanguard VEO Metro Small Compact Camera Bag showing clip and belt loop.
On the back, there’s a belt loop and a small triangular clip. Image credit: Andy Westlake
Vanguard VEO Metro Medium Compact Camera Bag with shoulder strap. Image credit: Andy Westlake
The bags comes with an adjustable and removable shoulder strap. Image credit: Andy Westlake

Two sizes are available, Small and Medium (there’s no ‘large’ as yet). The former is well-suited to zoom compacts with 1-in type sensors, such as the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III, Panasonic TZ300, and Sony RX100 VII, or older models in their respective lines. It’s also perfect for the cult-classic Ricoh GR series, including the current GR IV and GR IV Monochrome. Film photographers will find it’s a good fit for small 35mm cameras such as the Minox 35, Rollei 35 and Olympus XA range, or the Olympus mju-1 and mju-II.

Vanguard VEO Metro Small Compact Camera Bag in Burgundy, with a selection of cameras that will fit inside. Image credit: Andy Westlake
Small size in Burgundy, with a selection of cameras that will fit inside. Image credit: Andy Westlake

Turning our attention to the medium size bag, this one is clearly designed for the hugely popular Fujifilm X100 series. It’s also perfectly sized for the Panasonic Lumix L10 – in fact, I used it a lot when reviewing that camera.

My Fuijfilm X100VI fits in perfectly both on its own, and with weather-sealing filters or slim hoods attached. It’ll squeeze in with the SmallRig accessory grip fitted, too, but not with my leather half-case.

Vanguard VEO Metro Medium Compact Camera Bag with X100VI and accessories
The medium bag is perfect for the Fujifilm X100VI, even with accessories such as grips and filters attached. Image credit: Andy Westlake

Some rangefinder-style mirrorless bodies can fit with small lenses attached, such as the Olympus PEN-F and 17mm f/1.8 lens. Classic 35mm compact rangefinders are accommodated too, including the Olympus 35 SP and Canonet QL17 GIII. It’ll even hold my Leica CL with Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 on board.

Vanguard VEO Metro Medium Compact Camera Bag in Beige, with a selection of cameras that will fit inside
Medium size in Beige, with a selection of cameras that will fit inside. Image credit: Andy Westlake

Both size bags share the same simple, boxy design. There are two internal pockets, with a mesh-style one at the front and a flat slip pocket at the back. These will hold small items such as an AirTag, a spare SD card and a battery (although not the huge one used by the L10).

There’s also a flat, open pocket on the front, but I have no idea what you’d use it for.

Vanguard VEO Metro Small Compact Camera Bag with Canon G7 X II and small accessories.
The small bag will hold my Canon G7X II, with a spare battery and card, filter, and AirTag in the inside pockets. Image credit: Andy Westlake

You get a choice of three different carrying options. The included shoulder strap clips onto loops at the top corners, and can be adjusted widely in length for different body sizes and carrying styles. There’s also a belt loop plus a small triangular carabiner clip.

The bags come across as nicely constructed, with just enough padding to provide useful protection without being too bulky. During my testing, they’ve shrugged off a couple of summer rain showers with ease. But I’m not sure I’d trust those exposed zips under a sustained heavy downpour.

Vanguard VEO Metro Medium Compact Camera Bag with Panasonic Lumix L10.
The Medium bag will hold the Panasonic Lumix L10. Image credit: Andy Westlake

For those on a tight budget, Vanguard has also introduced some more affordable compact camera cases, in the shape of its Vesta Aspire range. These are simpler nylon pouches that come in a choice of either blue or black. They’re available in similar sizes, small and medium, for £14 and £17 respectively.

Vanguard VEO Metro compact camera bags: Our Verdict

These Vanguard VEO Metro compact camera bags are a great option for photographers using compact cameras. They look good, are nicely made, and provide a useful level of protection. Best of all, they’re very reasonably priced.  

Amateur Photographer Recommended 4.5 stars

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Medium, black

Medium, beige

Medium, burgundy

Medium, cream

Small, black

Small, beige

Small, burgundy

Small, cream

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