| Port Type | Corresponding Fathom Port |
Camcorder Positioning Requirements |
FOV in Water |
Full Zoom Thru |
Color Fringing |
Image Clarity |
Distortion |
| Flat Port | N/A | 3-4mm |
native camcorder FOV in air is diminished by 30% |
yes | yes | good | none |
| 2 - 3 Element Adapter | WA80, WA90, WP25, WP25A | 1-2mm | 70° - 80° | partial & full zoom available | minimal | excellent | 2% - 8% |
| Multi Element Adapter | SWP25, SWP25B, SWP44, SWP44B, SWP44C | less than 1mm | 90° - 100° | yes | none | superior | 1% - 4% |
| Spherical Port | N/A | 3-4mm | native camcorder FOV in air is preserved | no | minimal | soft corners | none |
| Wet Lens | Light & Motion Wetmate | 1-2mm | 60° - 65° | partial | none | excellent | 3% - 10% |
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF VARIOUS PORTS
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
| Flat Port | minimal restrictions on camcorder placement within housing | small FOV, color fringing visible off axis with high FOV camcorders |
| Spherical Dome | maintains native FOV of camcorder | soft corners and limited zoom thru capabilities |
| 2 - 3 Element Adapter | large FOV with high resolution imaging and minimal distortion | camcorder alignment within housing is critical and camcorder compatability is often limited |
| Multi-Element Adapter | superior image resolution with exceptionally large FOV/ near zero distortion / full zoom thru /split shot (air/water) imaging | high cost / camcorder alignment within housing is critical /camcorder compatability often limited |
| Wet Lens | simple option to obtain reasonable image quality / moderate FOV in water | bubbles formed on lens surface appear in image / water in contact with both lens surfaces limits maximum angular magnification |