When scrolling on TikTok or Instagram in recent months, you may have stumbled across influencer Sophia Price — known as @xsophiapriceyx on Instagram — posing for a sunset beach picture, one that is lit up by a soft, glamorous flash with warm hues of orange and pink.
Perhaps strangely, such photos are the result of two-decade-old cameras that are now suddenly all the rage.
With the revival of Y2K trends like wired headphones, animal prints and lowrise jeans, creators are ditching smartphone pictures for early-2000s point-and-shoot digital cameras, also known as digicams.
The resurgence of digital cameras can be attributed to their accessibility and ease of use. Most digital cameras are easy to find — often tucked away in a parent’s drawer or listed on eBay. Additionally, the lightweight cameras have simple settings that make them approachable for anyone, even those without photography experience. Most digicams offer automatic modes that adjust exposure, lighting and focus with a single click.
For those willing to spend a little more, high-end models like the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III from 2019, which boasts prices ranging from $700-1,500, are a popular buy. The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III has become viral on TikTok and Instagram over the last two years, with many creators raving about the model’s high quality and ease-of-use while showing off dreamy flash photos. The camera’s ability to capture vibrant colors, glowy skin; the perfect amount of blur has made it a staple for anyone chasing a chic and effortless aesthetic.
Also, it’s important to note that the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is well known in the YouTube vlogging — or video logging — community, offering features that cheaper digital cameras simply can’t compete with, including uncropped 4K video recording, a flip-up touchscreen for easy framing and a microphone input.
Personally, I own a Canon PowerShot A3100 IS from 2010, which goes for around $150 on eBay. After owning one for almost two years, I can say it delivers high-quality flash photos with a similar effect to the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III — though with slightly less saturation and lower quality.
Other models, like the Sony DSC-HX80 from 2016 — priced at around $400 — are a great middle ground between budget options and high-end picks. While it may not meet the demands of professional content creators, it’s a solid choice for casual users seeking quality features without the premium price tag.
Both photos are taken on the Sony DSC-HX80 in the daytime. They show high detail and beautiful, vibrant colors.
By editing the photo on my iPhone’s built-in photo app, the photos from the Canon PowerShot A3100 IS are comparable to the Sony DSC-HX80. However, the Sony DSC-HX80 undoubtedly provides a crisper, higher quality photo compared to the Canon PowerShot A3100 IS.
For me, digital cameras offer a fun way to break out of the usual photo routine with my friends. In particular, it’s exciting when we all pull our cameras out of our bags and then wait for someone to upload them to a shared album at the end of the night. The experience feels much more intentional and immersive — almost like we’re documenting a memory instead of just snapping content. That little wait to see how the photos turned out adds a nostalgic charm you just don’t get with phone cameras.
With limited storage and no instant sharing capabilities, we are forced to be more selective and present, focusing on capturing meaningful moments rather than an endless spamming of the photo button on our mobile phones.
At the end of the day, it truly depends on what you are using the camera for. If you’re just looking to post a few throwback-style photos or casual Instagram pics, a cheaper camera from eBay will do the job perfectly. The more expensive models definitely deliver better quality, but you don’t need to drop hundreds to get that signature digicam look. Whether it is a budget-friendly digital camera or not, the fun feeling of snapping photos stays the same.
