A camera isn't fishing tackle, yet in a way it is. I already have a digital camera, but it's big and not waterproof (or water resistant). So many times when I see you guys post pics, I want to post pics too. I went to wallyworld to look into a camera that was:

 

   small

   water resistant

   small

   easy to use (remember ... I'm an old fart)

   small

   lower priced

   small

 

   They had several models, but a guy there who said he fished told me, "They say they're water resistant, but they're really not."  I have no idea whether he knew what he was talking about, but it gave me pause.

   I'm NOT going to get a GoPro. No way. Nope.

   Isn't there a small, reliable, hopefully cheap digital camera that is at least water resistant?

 

   All ideas are welcome.  Thnx.     jj

I haven’t check the market lately but cameras that are waterproof, those can can be submerged without damage, are not cheap. An alternative is to buy a cheap camera and put it in a waterproof storage case. A case  that lets you use the camera while it’s still in the case is an option too, but again, those aren’t cheap.

On 3/18/2020 at 7:26 AM, jimmyjoe said:

Isn't there a small, reliable, hopefully cheap digital camera that is at least water resistant?

Uh - nope...you want 4 qualities

Small

Reliable

Cheap

Water Resistant

 

Pick 3 at best - 2 for the most part

On 3/18/2020 at 7:40 AM, Scott F said:

A case  that lets you use the camera while it’s still in the case is an option too, but again, those aren’t cheap.

The main problem with those cases? No audio...or at least SEVERELY muted.

 

---

Saying that - Akaso and Dragon Touch make small, reliable, cheap camera ($50 range) that come with a waterproof case as part of the included package. I have a couple Dragon Touch Vision 3 cameras and they seem to do a decent job. Stay away from the CamPaks...audio even out of the case is horrendous and one I got didn't even work right out of the package - needless to say, it was returned.

 

BTW: The lower cost cameras, you'll need to enhance the audio even if recorded out of the waterproof case - the levels are low.

 

 

If you only want water proof camera, I recommend Action Camera like Gopro with 12-17 mega pixels. If you don’t want to spend money on GoPro you can get knock off one for 30 bucks. You don’t have to take video just take picture battery should last for day.
https://www.amazon.com/GoPro-HERO7-White-Waterproof-Digital/dp/B07GDFTSPV/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?keywords=action+camera&qid=1584543645&sr=8-16

I never buy extended warranties except for my camera . Its not waterproof and I take it on the boat  with me . Well I had to use it , not because it got wet , I dropped it . I received a new one and purchased  the warranty for it too .

34 minutes ago, scaleface said:

, I dropped it

   Yeah. I'm thinking of that as one of the negatives, too.       jj

Do you have a cellphone? Most cellphones come with decent cameras.

 

I take all my pictures with my IPhone 7. It's water resistant as a bonus feature. I used to have it in a waterproof case.

I haven’t used anything but my cell phone for pictures in years..

I fish by myself mostly and use GoPros to get video & pull screen shots for pics.

It's been working out OK.

A-Jay

 

Cell phone cameras are a waste, enlarge them to full size and all you see is grain. They singularly lowered humanities expectations in visual quality. IMO...

 

I have a multi thousand $$ Nikon digital camera rig (which never sees the boat) and the GoPro 3's (I have three on my boat, one on the forward fisherman, one on me, and one on my hat. Two are plugged into a dual 18650 battery bank and will run unattended all day. The one on my hat I keep a spare battery for. 

 

I paid something like $45 each (averaged out the prices) and they're absolutely the best investment in fishing I ever made. 

 

 

 

 

iPhone or smart phones have a good camera.

Tom

I carry a Cannon sx720HS with 40 power zoom . Its small enough to fit in a shirt pocket . I have a small tripod in my gear bag . Set the timer for 10 seconds hold up bass and get picture .

Ya, I can use my tablet which is in the mount...matter of fact, my profile pic was taken that way with a timer. It does a good job, but I want the video for personal reasons...which is why the pair of Dragons have been added for this year. One will be plugged into the main battery, the second is the 'hat-cam', with a 10,000mAh power pack in my PDF pocket.

5 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

Do you have a cellphone? Most cellphones come with decent cameras.

 

4 hours ago, Jig Man said:

I haven’t used anything but my cell phone for pictures in years..

 

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Phone or smart phones have a good camera.

 

   I'm sure all of you will be aghast, but I have no cell phone, and I have no tablet. Don't want any, either.

   That's why I asked about a small water resistant (or waterproof) camera.

  

   I don't quite know what I'm gonna do. I may have to break down, quit being so cheap and go the GoPro route. I dunno.

 

   My thanks to all of you. It's nice for an old fart to know where he can get advice.    ?    jj

1 hour ago, jimmyjoe said:

I'm sure all of you will be aghast, but I have no cell phone, and I have no tablet. Don't want any, either.

   That's why I asked about a small water resistant (or waterproof) camera.

My cel phone is a tracfone . It cost me seven dollars a month .  All I can do is call and text .

You don’t really have to get a GoPro if all you want just take picture, Knock off would do just fine. The only problem is Selfie which harder to take and you might need a selfie stick. I have two, one for video and another to take picture when I’m on Float tube or kayak.
Sample of picture taking with knock off.

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/23130586_126793221370832_1228245855514994660_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_sid=dd9801&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_ohc=R4f0I05frJUAX_SkA_p&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&_nc_tp=14&oh=ce7aef60987d16a2e86a8c089c72b552&oe=5E988625

 

 

BTW, why do you need a water resistant camera? Most camera should be able to withstand some splash. 

My next action camera will probably be a CraigsList GoPro 6 for $150 or so. I'd get that over the 7 even for the same price. Look into the differences if interested.

 

I have a GoPro clone and it's good but they don't make that particular one anymore.

 

My boss just got a GoPro 360 that I get to play with. Shoots 360 degrees. Seems like a pain really.

10 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

 

 

   I'm sure all of you will be aghast, but I have no cell phone, and I have no tablet. Don't want any, either.

   That's why I asked about a small water resistant (or waterproof) camera.

  

   I don't quite know what I'm gonna do. I may have to break down, quit being so cheap and go the GoPro route. I dunno.

 

   My thanks to all of you. It's nice for an old fart to know where he can get advice.    ?    jj

No cellphone, then my choice would be a Nikon Coolpix W300

 

My wife’s hobby is photography and she bought this one for travel and water shots. You can take pics underwater with it. She has used it in the pool no problem.

 

She won’t let me take it fishing as she doesn’t want it to get smelly. Slimy fish hands handling it and all.

27 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

my choice would be a Nikon Coolpix W300

   Nice camera, but expensive. GoPro can be had for less.

   Two of my friends tell me that these Panasonic cameras are reliable. I'm gonna look into them.

   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RBG60U0?tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

 

  

6 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

 

BTW, why do you need a water resistant camera? Most camera should be able to withstand some splash. 

  In case I drop it in the water. I don't want to actually film underwater.   

 

   Thnx.    jj

53 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

  In case I drop it in the water. I don't want to actually film underwater.   

 

   Thnx.    jj

If dropping it in the water is a possibility, make sure to have it tethered to you. Being waterproof won’t help if the water is too deep to retrieve it. 

11 minutes ago, Scott F said:

If dropping it in the water is a possibility, make sure to have it tethered to you. Being waterproof won’t help if the water is too deep to retrieve it. 

X2! 

On 3/19/2020 at 6:37 AM, Scott F said:

If dropping it in the water is a possibility, make sure to have it tethered to you. Being waterproof won’t help if the water is too deep to retrieve it. 

   True. However, I'm a shorecaster, not a boater. Water is usually shallow.

 

jj

47 minutes ago, Scott F said:

If dropping it in the water is a possibility, make sure to have it tethered to you. Being waterproof won’t help if the water is too deep to retrieve it. 

This is true story, one night a couple of friends came and fish with me. I have head light and lantern light. We settle on the dock. My friend used his iPhone XS as light source, lo and behold he dropped the phone. It stay lit for at least 30mins underwater but he refused to dive after it (about 10 feet deep).

2 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

No cellphone, then my choice would be a Nikon Coolpix W300

 

My wife’s hobby is photography and she bought this one for travel and water shots. You can take pics underwater with it. She has used it in the pool no problem.

 

She won’t let me take it fishing as she doesn’t want it to get smelly. Slimy fish hands handling it and all.

+1 

My wife is also a photographer, and she also uses a Coolpix when we're fishing or hiking and heavy rain is likely.

I have had a Nikon Coolpix for more than 6 years and have taken it snorkeling and dropped it on rocks while hiking. It might cost a little more but it takes good pictures and the ruggedness has been worth every penny for me.