Gen Z has a new fascination with a gadget that was all the rage for millennials two decades ago—digital compact cameras. This throwback trend has been ignited by social media influencers who are bringing these portable devices back into the limelight. These early digital cameras are celebrated for their ability to produce crisp and clear images thanks to their flash and large sensors that capture light effectively.
TikTok influencer Ellen Barron revealed her love for the Kodak Pic Pro FZ45, praising its compact size, long-lasting battery, and impressive photo quality. Another influencer, Avery Lock Miller, highlighted the Canon Power Shot 360 in a viral video. Kel King also recommended the Canon Power Shot Elph 180, calling it “the it girl of digital cameras,” alongside her favorite, the Sony Cybershot DSC W-560.
“The Kodak Pic Pro FZ45 is my favorite camera or piece of technology that I own,” Barron told her followers. “It’s just so compact and easy to chuck in a bag, the battery lasts really well and it takes the most amazing photos.”
The renewed interest in these devices isn’t just about the technology; it’s about the nostalgia and the unique aesthetic they provide.
Gen Z embraces retro digital cameras
According to branding expert Scott Baradell, Gen Z’s fascination with early 2000s digital cameras stems from their raw, imperfect photo quality, complete with timestamps and grainy textures that are trending on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. “For a generation that’s glued to their phones, stepping away from endless scrolling to use a dedicated camera feels fresh and intentional,” Baradell explained. “It’s a way to slow down, focus, and create something uniquely authentic—and the retro aesthetic is just the cherry on top.”
Lifestyle and internet trend expert Elizabeth Gulino echoed this sentiment, attributing the trend to a longing for the early 2000s, a time when digital cameras were omnipresent in social gatherings and everyday life.
“I think people are feeling really nostalgic for that era, like the early 2000s, when everyone would bring their digital cameras to the club or like to a party or to a family party and stuff, and take those photos,” Gulino told NPR. “Those images make us feel nostalgic. And I think people are chasing that.”
Despite their popularity, getting in on the trend doesn’t have to be expensive.
Many influencers have guided their followers to online marketplaces like eBay to find second-hand cameras from that era, which can be more affordable than modern models. For many, this trend is a blend of curiosity about past technologies and a desire for a simpler, more intentional approach to photography, making early 2000s digital cameras the must-have gadget for Gen Z this year.
