Best way to pack digital camera?

What kind of carryon bag are you using? If it's hard-sided, I would put the camera, in its case, in that, and put that in the overhead bin.
I don't think you have to remove the batteries, as long as the camera is turned off. Only spare batteries and power banks have to be stowed under the seat, from what I can tell.

I have been travelling with an A7 IV and 3 zooms (GM's, 12-200 millimeters range) for several years in a $25 Amazon messenger bag. I store the camera body with the medium zoom on and the two other lenses vertically. I stuff the batteries, a couple of filters, essential papers, a Surface Go, and my on-plane medication into the same bag. It slides under a seat in all Boeing and Airbus aircraft in standard economy. I also don't check in anything and use a 4-wheel roller carry-on for all my other stuff, including chargers, cables, power supplies, and a few other electrical and electronic items. One thing I don't do is put the camera bag in the overhead bins; other than that, I don't take any particular precautions. Works for me, and there has been no damage in the 5 years I have been flying to/from and in Western Europe and to India and back. I have never rented a tripod in Europe; in India, yes, but that was for a documentary video (made with the same gear). Hope this helps.

Many thanks for the quick responses! Giving me things to think about.

I'd caution against packing the camera with lens attached in anything other than a padded camera case.

We put our mirrorless Olympus in a backpack 'under the seat in front of us', and one leg stretch later, the lens' rear mounting ring was completely broken and useless.

Luckily we found the exact same lens at a branch of Best Buy in Mountain View CA; and luckily, our travel insurance reimbursed us for the full cost.

Since then we've packed the camera and the lenses separately, and so far, so good.

My kit is a German rangefinder body with 4 prime (aka single-focal:not-zoom) lenses in a Domke ballistic nylon J5B "belt-and-shoulder bag" (when weight-restricted I use an ultralight ripstop version of it which was a ltd edition now discontinued). En-route it sits in my RS carryon backpack nestled between packing cubes of clothing, stowed in the overhead bin...has not sustained any damage in decades of travel...and it's fully-insured. The one time I nearly had it stolen was at Rome FCO when a lovely young lass attempted to abscond with both my bags as they emerged from the security x-ray.

As for a tripod, whilst I own a svelte 1kg Gitzo carbon-fibre which extends to my eyelevel, I ceased traveling with it in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and found, despite my camera lacking IS, I did not miss the pod apart from long exposure shots, and even those I find I can usually manage to find some novel means of support. Today digital ISO 6400 nets a far cleaner image than ASA 400 slide film did in times past, and even with my longest and slowest lens, a 90mm f/2.8, I find I can get a sharp shot at 1/60. Your Oly has IS so you ought be able to go 2-3 stops slower. So I'd not think twice about leaving the tripod at home.

Thanks for your replies! I’m starting to get a handle on this packing situation. Will definitely leave the tripod at home.

You could always get a camera cube and put it in a small hardshell. Or subsequently buy a dedicated camera backpack that has a lot of top space for your personal things. Wandrid makes some or Thinktank (roll top is excellent). I wouldn't shove my camera in a non padded bag under the seat. It needs plenty of cushion.

I normally travel with a full sized dSLR, one extra lens, battery, a few filters and other accessories. The method I've been using lately is to pack them in a good quality Duffel with a padded camera insert. I pack other "soft" items around the insert to provide a bit of extra protection, and use other pockets for my usual carry-on items. The Duffel seems to fit well under the seat, even on the smaller regional aircraft.

On trips to Europe, I have always had one checked bag as well for the majority of clothing, etc. In the past the checked bag has been a Backpack, but lately I've been using a Spinner. I've packed a compact Tripod in the checked bag on some trips. With the ever more stringent limits on the size of carry-on items for flights within Europe, I will probably continue with this method.

I'm reluctant to check a bag, not for the cost, but because I've been to the land of lost luggage and don't ever want to go back. The first trip to Ireland I had planned to only do carryon, but because of my low boarding priority, I ended up being required to check one anyway. It went fine but I didn't have a decent camera with me that time. I have a small travel camera case that holds a body and two lens that I'm going to pack in my backpack, well cushioned. Thanks for all the great replies!

I'm less worried about losing checked luggage these days, as I'll be putting an AirTag in the bag. That should make it easier to find if it does get misplaced.

I carry a 35mm SLR and lenses when I travel to Europe, and my favorite bag is an old Tamrac Adventure 7 backpack. It has a bottom section for camera, lenses and accessories, and a top section for non-photographic items. It fits under the seat in front of me and just barely fits the dimensions of a personal item on most airlines. My main carry on bag goes in the overhead bin.

I like Peak Design products. However, sometimes they may take up too much space. When that happens I bubble wrap my lens and camera. Or use a soft bag for my camera.

In lieu of tripods, check out Platypods. I love these for travel. You can use them where tripods may not be allowed--like churches or other tourist spots. They are especially handy for iphone pictures--especially if you use an iwatch. I use my platypod system for my mirrorless and iphone.

www.platypod.com