The Digital Camera Revival

Sriya Vangala
Jan 25
2 min read

Updated: Jul 21

The last few years of modern culture have seen an uptick in the interest for late 20th century fashion and photography. Take the revival of flare jeans and tote bags as an example! The digital camera has also made its comeback, as it has become the preferred method of photography compared to traditional Phone cameras, especially for Gen Z. Read below to find out a little bit more about digital cameras and their rising popularity today!

This is a more traditional digital camera. Many hand held cameras are smaller and more compact.

All About the Digital Camera

Digital cameras have been around since 1975! These cameras required film in order to use the photos. However, by the 1980s, handheld cameras were built with technology that no longer required film. While many of the original digital cameras were limited to film making, they would enter the US market in 1990.

The handheld digital cameras took off by the mid-1990s. They were widely popular and considered one of the focal parts of art and technology advancements of this decade.

Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/lifestyle/article/best-point-and-shoot-digital-camera

The Digital Camera Craze

The "digi-cam" revitalization is in part due to the immense interest that Gen Z has taken up with it. The unique aesthetic of the pictures and their nostalgic value have made them a popular choice for teenagers and young adults today. On top of that, most digital cameras are compact, easy to carry and travel with, and can last for a decent period of time before recharging or needing a new set of batteries. There are also several ways for the pictures to be transferred to a computer or mobile phone, making them compatible with existing devices as well.

Source: https://school-of-digital-photography.blogspot.com/2014/10/types-of-digital-cameras.html

Digital Camera Details

Digital cameras will vary by type, size, and price. They definitely require researching before purchase, and I highly recommend finding sample photos if you are considering buying one. You should also take into account that each camera is made for a different purpose. Smaller cameras tend to have lower resolutions and have the older 90's effect, but larger cameras will have higher resolutions and a more professional output.

Existing Alternatives

If you're curious about the digital camera effect, there are dozens of mobile apps that use similar filter systems to take pre-existing photos from a phone and turn them into a digital-cam like picture. You can also find tons of tutorials online on how to use the settings on your photo app to create similar effects.