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With cameras virtually everywhere these days, including the one on the phone in your pocket, the phrase “pics or it didn’t happen” extends to fishing like few other activities. Sport fishing, with its blend of gorgeous boats, shockingly blue water and incredible jumping fish, screams to be immortalized in photos. Marlin prides itself on showcasing these transient offshore experiences, and in fact, we were the first fishing magazine to feature a digital photograph on its cover (June 2003). Here are 11 exciting new cameras that can fly, see in the dark, protect your boat, and get that tournament-winning release shot.
Eagle Eye: DJI Mavic 4 Pro Drone
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro Drone elevates aerial cinematography, providing professional results in a small package. DJI replaced the hanging gimbal with a 360° Infinity Gimbal at the front of the body, and the wide-angle Hasselblad now offers 100-megapixel stills, an adjustable aperture, and up to 6K60 HDR video. Low-light shooting is a big focus with a 0.1-lux nightscape obstacle avoidance system and front lidar. Additionally, video transmission, flight time, vertical shooting and vehicle tracking have all been improved.
Hands-Free: Meta Glasses Gen 2
One challenge to capturing quality footage offshore is bringing along a dedicated photographer—or asking a mate to take on another duty. Ray-Ban Meta Glasses Gen 2 let anyone aboard begin filming hands-free by voice or tap. A 12 MP ultra-wide sensor captures photos and crisp 3K Ultra HD video at up to 60 fps, with clips up to five minutes long. The glasses provide up to eight hours of moderate use, fast-charge to 50 percent in 20 minutes, and offer 32 GB of storage for more than 500 photos or 100 short videos.
Speed Kills: Canon R1
Not many subjects move faster than a jumping mahi, but the Canon R1 stops them midleap with crystal clarity. The camera features a new Canon-designed 24.2-megapixel full-frame, back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor (with Dual Pixel AF). The camera also sports a pre-continuous shooting feature that allows you to capture the previous half-second of images prior to a full shutter release. A built-in neural upscaling feature can double the horizontal and vertical image size to create a 96-megapixel JPEG in about 10 seconds. It’s a true professional camera that’s built like a tank.
Steady as She Goes: DJI Osmo Pocket 3
Trying to take a good video in heavy seas can result in some blurry and shaky shots. The handheld DJI Osmo Pocket 3 captures steady and smooth motion video, with resolution up to UHD 4K120. Its 1-inch CMOS sensor with full-pixel fast focusing ensures high-quality, low-noise footage acquisition even in high-contrast environments. Three built-in microphones capture stereophonic sound while reducing ambient noise, and new software enhancements bring ActiveTrack 6.0 to your fingertips for precise subject tracking in both photo and video modes.
Bring on the Night: BoatEye360 C1080
When leaving port for that predawn tuna bite 80 miles offshore, you’ll be in the dark. To transform those early mornings into daylight, get yourself a BoatEye360 C1080 full-color night vision camera. Engineered for ultimate marine safety, its ultra-sensitive CMOS sensor captures vivid, high-definition 1080p footage in near-total darkness using just moonlight or starlight. Encased in rugged 316L stainless steel, this IP68 waterproof camera integrates effortlessly with top chart plotters via HDMI or analog outputs. It’s the ultimate affordable clarity upgrade for nighttime navigation.
Eye on Your Prize: Vosker VKX 4G LTE
Keeping an eye on your boat in locations with poor Wi-Fi service can be difficult. The Vosker VKX 4G LTE outdoor security camera makes remote monitoring of your boat possible if there is cell service, even where Wi-Fi is not available. This unit provides true wireless surveillance powered by a frameless solar panel and high-capacity battery. It delivers up to six months of autonomy with no external power. The VKX detects motion up to 100 feet and sends instant photo alerts or 15-second video clips, giving real-time visibility. An integrated deterrent light signals the camera’s presence and helps repel intruders.
Underwater Scout: TrollPro Dredge Cam
Hydrodynamically engineered for stable towing at high speeds, the Troll Pro Dredge Cam provides crystal-clear video of your trolling spread and dredge bait. Compatible with most leading action cameras, the Troll Pro housing turns any dredge into an underwater scout. Watching fish come into the spread proves invaluable for analyzing fish behavior and helps fine-tune your spread’s performance and tournament strategy. Built to withstand the pressure and elements of deep-sea trolling, this housing ensures your camera stays safe and secure, no matter what tries to eat it.
Mission Possible: GoPro Mission 1
GoPro kicked off the entire action-camera movement. The new GoPro Mission 1 makes filmmaking easier, even when getting hit with gallons of seawater. The 1-inch 50-megapixel sensor has a larger surface area to capture more light and provides up to 14 stops of dynamic range. This results in professional-grade image quality when paired with GoPro’s latest GP3 processor. The Mission 1 series delivers five hours of recording at 1080p301 and three hours at 4K30 on a single charge. Waterproof to 66 feet without the need for a housing, the Mission 1 makes a great solution for cockpit recording.
Get Wet: Swell Pro Fisherman Max
One of a pilot’s biggest fears is landing his prize drone in the drink. Swell Pro’s waterproof drone means you never have to worry about water landings again. With the included float bars attached, the Fisherman Max floats safely on the water, and it can take off and land in the water. If the drone should flip upside down, simply use your joystick to flip it upright and take off. Dual rotatable antennas on the drone help ensure a reliable connection for livestream video transmission and drone control. You can view the camera’s video in real time on the built-in multicolor 5-inch display.
Ultra Stable: Luna Ultra
The Luna Ultra from Insta360 is an AI-powered gimbal camera capable of capturing up to 8K30 video thanks to its Leica-engineered optics. The Luna Ultra features two lenses, one with a huge 1-inch CMOS image sensor, and one with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor. A triple AI chip ensures efficient low-light performance. The 2-inch touchscreen on the camera can detach to function as a wireless remote for control over distance. AI-powered tracking and rapid focus protocols keep your subjects in focus even during fast-action sports.
Stay on Track: Nikon Z9
Trying to keep a jumping marlin in focus just became much easier with the Nikon Z9. This top-of-the-line camera integrates a groundbreaking 45.7-megapixel stacked BSI CMOS sensor and Expeed 7 processor, ensuring exceptional image quality and speed. With capabilities like 8K video recording and an extended ISO range from 64 to 102400, it excels in low-light conditions. The stacked sensor minimizes rolling shutter distortion, ensuring sharp, distortion-free images of fast-moving subjects. It accurately tracks nine different subject types, including humans, animals and vehicles, maintaining sharp focus across diverse shooting scenarios.
