While kayak fishing last year, I “discovered” that my camera did not float. I needed a camera quickly for an upcoming tournament, and at the time did not have $300 to buy another high-end waterproof camera. After doing some research and talking to some friends, I decided to order the $65 Kodak “EasyShare Sport”. A few days later, an Amazon.com box was waiting for me at home after work.
My first impression of this camera was, in a word, “simplicity”. In a world of hundreds of features on most electronic items, the EasyShare Sport is a breath of fresh air. It is compact, lightweight, and there are no moving parts. There is no automated lens cap to get stuck, no optical zoom to eat batteries - just a handful of rubberized buttons. All you need to do is add two AA batteries (included) and an SD card (there is a small internal memory), and go take pictures. Because there are not a lot of features on this camera, it powers up quickly. In less than two seconds from pressing the power button, you can be snapping pictures. This is especially nice when you have a trophy fish in your lap that you want to return to the water.
Kodak EasyShare Sport has many color options.
Kodak claims the EasyShare Sport is waterproof to 10’, dustproof, and worry proof. I have had mine submerged in salt water, and have rinsed it off with a garden hose after my fishing trips without any issues. The camera was used hard during three months of hard fishing before it got to rest this fall. The battery life is very good; I always keep a fresh set in my dry box, but have never had to change them out on the water, even on tournament weekends and after taking dozens of photos. The camera is 12MP and has a digital zoom, a self timer that will take a shot two seconds, 10 seconds or both after you press the shutter button. The camera also takes video, and has the ability to transmit photos directly to multiple social networks at once. I have not had the desire to use these functions.
The EasyShare Sport is great for taking lap shots of your catch, even at night
So you’re thinking that there has to be a down side to this camera. Well there is, and it’s the same thing I liked about it - its simplicity. The camera takes good pictures, but as a “basic” camera it doesn’t take great ones. If you are not close to your subject, without an optical zoom you will have a grainy picture when you zoom using with the digital zoom. Inexpensive cameras also always mean low-end lenses, and without a cap I am sure the lens will eventually get scratched.
Without an optical zoom it’s hard to get close to your subject.
When you use the digital zoom the picture can get grainy.
Overall for the money this is a great camera to take fishing with you. You’ll capture your memories and record your catch, for a little bit of money. You don’t have to worry about splashing it with water or getting fish slime on it. You won’t get that cover shot for a magazine, but you might get a good enough one to frame for your desk. Compared to other cameras under $80 that are waterproof, I would give the Kodak EasyShare an 8 on a 10 point scale.
