People often ask me which camera is best for fly fishermen, and because I’m a smartass, I usually tell them it’s the one you actually carry with you on the river.

For me, that equates to a waterproof point and shoot (and rules out my DSLR, which is bulky and maintains an intense dislike of water). Because my Pentax Optio is several generations old, I don’t know enough to recommend any of the current crop of waterproof digital cameras.

Fortunately, I stumbled across a waterproof point-and-shoot camera “Shootout” article, and while they don’t exactly deliver on the shootout premise (for example, they don’t recommend a winner), they do provide a big picture view of six top waterproof point-and-shoot cameras (including the current version of my Pentax).

waterproofcamerashootout

Looking for a fly fishing camera? (click image to see review)

Shopping for a fly fishing camera? Despite a slightly vanilla review style and lack of a winner, consider this article a starting point.

If I was buying now, I’d probably ignore the Transformer-esque styling and grab the Pentax WG2, though the Olympus TG1 also impresses. [UPDATE: based on the reader comments, there isn't much love for the new Pentax Wg1 or WG2. I'd skip it for now.]

I wish at least one offered a slightly wider angle lens (most go to 28mm, some to 25mm — I used to shoot a lot in the 20mm-24mm range), but it’s hard to argue with the price and quality of most cameras these days. In fact, usability is typically more important than a camera’s technical specs; if it takes you forever to change modes or alter exposures or whatever, you’re going to miss pictures.

Any additions or recommendations from the Undergrounders?

See you on film, Tom Chandler.

Posted in Review.