Outdoor photography and my adventurous tendencies have been slowly melding together and I have been in need of a good backpack that I could lug my camera gear in. The catch is that the backpack I am in need of should be designed specifically for camera gear as well as be able to handle hauling a computer laptop along too. The backpack also needs to be able to grow with me as I slowly collect new camera gear such as lenses, flashes and perhaps even a second camera body, but it also needs to be small enough not to hamper my travels. Is this too much to ask? Well, perhaps the Zion 525 camera backpack by M-Rock will satisfy all my needs.
Features and Specifications
The M-Rock Zion 525 camera backpack is a decent sized bag measuring 13W x 11.75D x 18.5H inches (32.5 x 29.4 x 46.5 cm). M-Rock claims that it is ‘Carry-On Compatible’ but checking the carry-on dimensions on various airline websites can be a bit confusing. However, it does comply with standard regulations. I have seen people try and cram bags into the overhead compartments that clearly did not fit and were much larger than the Zion 525.
The interior measurements, which have a maximum size of 12W x 6.25D x 17H (30 x 15.6 x 42.5 cm) is roomy enough to allow 3 configurations when storing your gear. There is enough room to get a full-frame camera such as the Canon 5D with an attached 70-200mm lens and still have room for other lenses, filters and whatever else you might have or need.
Running at about $230 at the M-Rock Website, the bag is definitely priced with comparable products from other manufacturers. Let’s see if it can stay with the pack.
First Impression
When I first looked at the M-Rock Zion 525, the first thing I noticed was the large amount of pockets and compartments. You can access the interior compartments two different ways. The first is the ability to fit your camera body in with an attached wide-angle zoom lens (such as the 24-70mm), while still allowing room for other lenses. The second way allows you to access the interior through an Accessory Bag filled with whatever gear you may need to store. Both work independently of each other and have straps to ensure things do not fall out accidentally.
Included with the Zion 525 is this Accessory Bag which measures 11W x 5D x 7H (28 x 12.7 x 17.8 cm). The Accessory Bag can either be used to store more gear or a change of clothes. It secures to the inside of the bag with Velcro. The Accessory Bag can be left inside the interior compartment, or be attached to the top of the bag allowing for more room inside the backpack.
The rear laptop compartment is large enough to fit up to a 15” laptop. Measuring in at 12W x 2.5 x 17H (30 x 6 x 42.5 cm) it is also well padded and will ensure that your laptop stays safe. You can also get the optional accessory Hydration Bladder (1.3L – #550 Great Lakes Bladder) that is insulated with Neoprene which would go in place of the laptop, keeping you hydrated on a long hike. A slit on the side of the laptop compartment allows you to route the tube for the bladder out of the bag.
It is too bad you cannot remove the laptop compartment when not in use; a major drawback is that I find that with my camera gear and laptop the backpack is fairly heavy and awkward to have on my back. This to me is a major comfort issue when wanting to have both camera gear and laptop in the back on outdoor adventures. I’ve worn the backpack with just the camera gear and it was comfortable but I find that I would not be able to tolerate both items at the same time.
Quality and Construction
When you think about the weight you may be carrying inside the M-Rock Zion 525 backpack you would hope that the shoulder straps would be securely attached and padded. It seems M-Rock thought about this too and with care and consideration they fashioned some pretty good looking straps. The straps are well stitched for your gear’s safety while being padding for your comfort. The same mesh padding is also found on the back support which would help improve comfort as well as air flow while lugging the backpack around.
They did include a well secured chest strap to help balance the load better, though I found that where they positioned this chest strap is far too close to my neck. There was no way to lower it into the proper position. They also placed clips on each strap which can be used to hold the water tube of their optional hydration bladder.
There is an area for the optional Modular Belt which attaches behind the M-Rock Zion backpack and secures itself by Velcro. I am not sure why this was not included with this particular backpack. I would have thought it would have been included and I felt a little disappointed when I found out it is an optional accessory to be purchased. It would help steady the load on your back when you are hiking or even going for a simple walk.
One of the items that did stand out to me when I first looked at the M-Rock Zion 525 backpack was the construction of the zippers. They are just not ordinary zippers; they have a water resistant material on the outside which helps keep water out and your stuff dry.
The exterior material of the M-Rock 525 backpack is rugged and water resistant. The interior is an ultra soft lining that is non abrasive. The interior pockets are of a soft mesh fabric which helps protect the contents against scuffs and scratches.
Protection from the Outside Elements
For more extreme weather conditions there is the included Weather Jacket which helps ensure water does not get in. When I did put the backpack into the Weather Jacket there was no option to use the shoulder straps. You can cinch up the Weather Jacket up to the handle, but that is the only way of carrying the backpack around. If I am hiking outside in the rain, I tend to like my hands to be completely free. The Weather Jacket does not allow for this as I have to hold on to the backpack by at least one hand. If my gear is fairly heavy it would get uncomfortable after a while having to switch back and forth between which hand is holding onto the backpack.
More Room
I mentioned pockets right? The M-Rock Zion 525 has them; enough of them to ensure you have room for all your smaller items. Each access panel has pockets on the outside as well as the inside.
The top access panel’s exterior pocket has a key clip, two smaller tension mesh pockets and one large mesh zippered pocket where the Weather Jacket is stored. The larger mesh zippered pocket also has access to the wire port that allows you to pass through headphone wires from a CD or MP3 player. The access panel on the bottom exterior pocket has two large tension mesh pockets and one larger zippered mesh pocket. The large interior zippered mesh pocket stores the fairly handy attached lens cleaning cloth.
The M-Rock Zion 525 has a lot of room to store all your goodies. I was a bit nervous that it would not allow me to carry my tripod, but it seems M-Rock has thought of that too! The elastic web straps on the front of the backpack can hold a tripod securely. Slide the tripod in, put a foot or two into the bottom little zippered pocket and cinch the two elastic webs tight. There is also another elastic web strap on the bottom of the backpack which could be used to carry a jacket. You could also use it to carry your tripod instead of attaching it to the front for easier access to the exterior pockets.
Lots of Customization
There are some common configurations you can create with using the included dividers, though I am sure one can create more possibilities with the amount of interior room there is. I’m impressed that I could fit a full frame dSLR body with a large lens such as a 70-200mm and till have room for a few other lenses, a flash and whatever other devices I may need.
The first configuration is what I currently use. It allows me to keep my kit lens (18-55mm) attached to my Canon XSi (EOS 450D) along with my Sigma 550 EX Flash, my Canon 70-300mm, a Canon 50mm 1.8 in the larger lower compartment. Removing the accessory bag allows for even more room, like a wide-angle zoom. You could also fit a telephoto lens at the very top if you needed to.
Another common configuration allows you to use a dSLR body with a large telephoto lenses (such as a 70-200mm) still attached to the camera body. Though with this configuration you may need to open the bag fully to access your camera. But you can still store a few items around the camera section as well. I am sure people will be able to create other configurations as well with the Velcro, padded dividers. The possibilities seem almost endless depending on what you need to transport.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Over the past few weeks of using the M-Rock Zion 525 camera backpack I have truly enjoyed it’s company as has my camera gear. The rugged exterior allows a bit of rough play while the interior helps protect the variety of camera gear it stores. Having a separate section for up to a 15″ laptop is great, though I found it was really uncomfortable to have both my camera gear and laptop while wearing the Zion 525 on my back. Fully loaded (laptop included) the backpack would sat up too high on my back which not only made it uncomfortable but awkward when on walks or hikes. The lack of a waist belt was also a little disappointing (available as a pay option) while a good number of other bags include them. If you do need to haul around a lot of gear and don’t want to wear it on your back all the time, M-Rock does offer a similar bag in a roller configuration called the McKinley 526.
Another drawback I found is if you have the Weather Jacket on (over the backpack) you would not be able to wear the backpack. You would have to carry the backpack around in one hand all the time. Don’t get me wrong, the Weather Jacket does protect your gear from the outside elements (which we need here on the Wet Coast of Canada), it just limits you to how you can carry it around. I can see why Lowepro patented their “AW” cover featured on bags like the Primus AW and CompuPrimus AW as it is the only cover that I know of that allows you to wear the backpack at the same time.
The customization of the padded dividers is a welcomed feature. This allows the M-Rock Zion 525 backpack to grow with me as I obtain more camera gear. The removable Accessory Bag is also a nice addition, allowing me to create some extra room when needed. With three default configurations (and probably numerous others), this bag is definitely easy to make work with any gear you own.
If you’re looking for a camera backpack that stores your camera gear and can be adjusted for various sized camera components I do recommend looking at the M-Rock Zion 525 camera backpack. If you do want to lug around a laptop, just be warned, the M-Rock Zion 525 might sit a bit high on your back. With all the available storage space (sections, zippered interior and exterior pockets etc) this camera backpack should ensure you will never have to leave any camera equipment at home.
Pros
- Looks sexy
- Rugged and water resistant construction
- Durable
- Includes Weather Jacket for extreme weather conditions
- Customizable dividers
- Padded and breathable back section helps with comfort
- Removable accessory bag with strap
- Lots of space
Cons
- Does not include waist belt
- Chest strap too high and not adjustable (for both males and females)
- Awkward and heavy with full camera gear and a laptop
- Weather jacket does not allow for use of shoulder straps
- Depending on Airline it might not fit in overhead compartment (though they say it will)
Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10.0
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