Digital Cameras are Making a Comeback, and it’s About Time

Remember when all pictures were taken on smartphones and digital pocket cameras seemed like relics of the past? Well, the tables are turning. Digital cameras are making a comeback, and it’s not just the nostalgia talking. In fact, this resurgence is revealing a lot about how we interact with images, creativity and cameras in this day and time.

The trend has been spotted everywhere: from vintage-looking images on social media to sudden flashes in bars and clubs of people carrying these pocket cameras, they are everywhere. BBC recently reported on this revival, noting that digital cameras are becoming ‘cool’ again, especially among young people seeking something different than their phone cameras.

Woman taking a photo with a digital camera on a night out

One of the most obvious draws is retro charm. Where fashion trends from the 2000s are returning, so is the time’s technology. As CNET points out, digital cameras carry a sense of nostalgia, a throwback to the days when photography felt more deliberate. I personally feel like this started on smartphones themselves. Among me and my friends, people were downloading apps to take pictures on, and these pictures would get a retro/ vintage look. Slowly this trend grew, and people started finding their parents’ old cameras in put away boxes in the attic. Unlike smartphones, which demand constant connectivity, digital cameras are physical objects with presence: small dials, built-in lenses and that satisfying click and flash. They are tactile, and in a world dominated by touchscreens, that physicality is refreshing.

The retro factor is not just about aesthetics: it’s about slowing down. In a world that seems to be in a bigger hurry everyday, people tend to seek out the slower pace in life. Using a digital camera requires a little more thought about framing, timing and light, encouraging a deeper engagement with your surroundings. In a culture where images are endlessly snapped, swiped, and forgotten, this slower approach feels like a breath of fresh air.

Another reason digital cameras are trending is the way they change how people pose and interact with photography. Unlike phones, where a single click can instantly send a picture online (and ruin your reputation), digital cameras create a slight buffer between taking a photo and sharing it. This reduces the social pressure to look perfect. I have experienced this with my own friends. The pictures after a night out on a digital camera always seem to show people’s truer selves, as people feel way less pressure to look good or to behave a certain way.

Neuroscientist Justin Moretto coined the term visiobibliophobia, the fear of being posted (or publicly judged online). On phones, this fear makes people self-conscious, posing in a more controlled or overly curated way. They perform a different identity. On digital cameras allow a more playful, spontaneous approach, where people feel freer to make funny faces, act naturally or experiment with movement, because there’s no immediate threat of the image going viral online. In short, digital cameras capture the “real you” rather than the polished version that social media often demands.

Digital cameras are also thriving because of a slight rebellion against smartphones. Phones are convenient, yes, but they don’t feel intentional when making pictures. Digital pocket cameras are: they are there to make images, not to scroll or text.

Despite the simplicity and often ‘bad quality’ (less sharp, more noise etc), the photos these cameras produce feel different from smartphone shots. They are often imperfect, but full of personality. The images feel authentic, intentional and distinctive. As Marshall McLuhan famously said: “The medium is the message”, and in this case it really is. The retro-nessa and realness of the pictures tell a message in itself. And if you see someone posting a photo made on a digital camera, the moment instantly feels much more real than when it’s a phone-made photo.

Photos made on a digital camera. Source: New York Times

The comeback of digital cameras reflects a broader shift in how we relate to images, technology and social media. People are seeking authenticity, spontaneity and creative freedom that isn’t constantly judged by likes or shares. Simple, small digital cameras offer exactly that: retro charm, tactile controls and the ability to capture moments that are real, impactful and playful. In a world where phones are constant companions and social media can feel like a stage, digital cameras let you take photos for yourself, not for anyone else (except maybe your friends and family). They remind us that photography doesn’t have to be performative: it can be personal, experimental and genuinely fun.

So, maybe it’s time to pick up a pocket camera again. Step out, snap some unpolished shots on your next outings, and see what it feels like to capture moments without the pressure of perfection.