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).
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.