But finding a camera that's up to the challenge of fly fishing can be difficult. Most high-quality digital cameras--even the "prosumer" variety--are too bulky to comfortably tote along on a backcountry fishing excursion. And then there's the water issue--not too many high-end digitals can handle getting wet.
There are options, however, and some of them are surprisingly affordable and even portable, depending upon how serious the avid fishing photographer is when it comes to capturing their experiences in digital pixels.
For the sake of simplicity, the following digital cameras should be considered for the avid fly fisher, but not necessarily for the professional photographer. They'll capture excellent images, but they won't shoot raw data photos and they lack many professional features. That said, they'll provide high-quality results if used properly:
- The Olympus Stylus digital camera--and there are several models now--is perhaps the pioneer in the waterproof digital line. Not only is it water resistant, but it's completely waterproof, meaning underwater photography is not only possible, but almost encouraged with these models. Depending on the model, the camera can be waterproof up to 33 feet deep. Another bonus--the Stylus is shock-proof from a drop of five feet or lower. Newer Stylus models can shoot images up to 12 megapixels with 3x zoom. Again, depending on the model, prices range from $700 to as low as $140 for refurbished cameras.
- The Pentax Optio digital camera is rather new on the market, but results are said to be excellent. With a 5x zoom at 10 megapixels and waterproof capability up to 13 feet, it's a good choice for recreational photographers who occasionally get wet. The price is right, too, comig in around $250.
- The Canon Powershot D10 is slightly less functional than the two cameras listed above, but it is waterproof and offers high-quality 12-megapixel capability. The price range starts about $280.
There are other options--the disposable Kodak waterproof camera for instance--that can be obtained for far less money, but the long-term investment in one of the three cameras above is worth it, simply because the quality of the photos is excellent and far surpasses any point-and-shoot disposable. All three cameras listed above are portable--they'll fit in a shirt pocket and they're fairly easy to use, with beyond-basic features like a macro setting and even low-quality video.
Anglers who find themselves on the water frequently but worry about damaging expensive digital hardware might want to consider investing in a waterproof digital that can take excellent photos, above the water or under it.
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