With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Why Gen Z loves the digital compact cameras that millennials used to covet

Digital compact cameras — the kind that were widely used 15 to 20 years ago — are showing up on the holiday wish lists of teens and Gen Zers.
Just like miniskirts and low rise jeans — the digital camera is a trend that has circled back around.
"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," said freelance reporter Elizabeth Gulino, who covers lifestyle and internet trends.
"Those images make us feel nostalgic. And I think people are chasing that," she added.
It's trending because people are into the vibe of images captured by digital cameras, similar to when film and disposable cameras had a moment not too long ago, she says, adding that "this is sort of a swing in the opposite direction where digital cameras have become popular."
Compared to photos taken with a smartphone flash, photos taken with a digital camera flash have a crisper look.
"They definitely look airy, floaty and ethereal when using a digital camera flash in particular," she added.
Images from these compact digital cameras may have fewer pixels than smartphone images — but these cameras also have bigger sensors to pick up light — which makes for a clearer-looking photo.
Casey Fatchett has been a professional photographer for the past 25 years and hosts the Nerdy Photographer podcast. He says digital cameras have taken off among Gen Z because they're tired of seeing themselves in photos taken on phones.
"There's so much processing that goes on in your phone that you don't have any control over," Fatchett said. "So I think that there is a yearning among young people for photos that look real, especially of themselves. So there's a feeling there that you can't get from your cell phone camera."
Fatchett says digital cameras can also be a way to be more intentional — and selective — about the photos you're taking, since you can't snap an infinite number of shots.
"Whether it's a digital camera, whether it's a film camera, whether it's a Polaroid style camera, your brain thinks about it differently," Fatchett said. "Like I only have x number of photos that I can take, so I want to capture something that really matters to me."
It may also be a way to rebel against the smartphone-centered world Gen Zers were brought up in. The youngest members of Gen Z are around 12 years old and have never lived in a world without the iPhone, which was introduced in 2007.
Choosing the right camera
Vintage is also cool again — so recycling a camera that's been sitting in a drawer somewhere for the past few decades is an option.
So is buying an older version of a higher priced model.
Phil Ryan, who writes about cameras for The New York Times tech review site Wirecutter, says there are a few things to look for if you have the option of buying that kind of camera in-person.
"Zoom the lens, make sure that it's actually working. Bring an SD card, put your SD card in and snap a few pictures and make sure that it's taking a picture and it's going to play it back," Ryan said. "And then make sure that you're going to get a charger with it."
He also suggests asking yourself why you want a digital camera in the first place. If it's that Y2K, overexposed aesthetic you're after, you can buy a lens for your phone that will give you that effect.
"So you're going to be putting literally a piece of plastic in front of the camera on your phone," Ryan said. "Those are definitely [a] stocking stuffer, you can get [them] for like $20, $25 and a whole set of them."
But, if you're trying to capture the moment without being on a device that's connected to the rest of the world — and don't care about the trendy influencer look — you can always grab an even cheaper disposable camera.
This story was edited for radio by Jan Johnson and edited for digital by Obed Manuel.
Copyright 2024 NPR
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember.
-
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain.
-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care.
-
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings.
-
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past.
-
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.