Teenagers are keeping their iPhone cameras in their pockets, instead opting for for early 2000s-style digital cameras, and this trend is taking over social media feeds, concerts and weekend hangouts. From grainy flash photos and time-stamped selfies, teens are creating memories that already look nostalgic.
According to a 2025 report by the Camera and Imaging Products Association, compact digital camera shipments have risen by 8% in the past year, marking the first consistent increase since 2017. On top of that, 2025 is projected to be the best sales year for digital cameras since 2019, which is a major comeback for the digital camera market.
“For me, it’s about the feeling,” senior Aaron Carrasquillo said. “As technology progresses, we’ll have better phones with better quality, but I grew up around digital cameras a lot, so this feels more soulful and comforting.”
Carrasquillo isn’t alone. A scroll on TikTok shows that hashtags like #digitalcamera and #2000saesthetic have more than 500 million combined views.
Senior Karina Pedroza said she thinks it’s more than a trend, it’s a statement.
“I think people are starting to realize that just because something’s newer doesn’t mean it’s going to be the best option for the look you’re trying to achieve,” Pedroza said. “And the 2000s are definitely coming back.”
Fritz Holznagel, from The Conversation said the appeal of digital cameras goes beyond nostalgia and comes more from the human desire for connection. Many teens are drawn to the authenticity of the photos, the imperfections that make them feel real. Unlike photos taken on smart phones, digital camera photos have a quality to them that makes them feel more candid and carefree.
Holznagel also said resellers like eBay, Facebook Marketplace and even Goodwill have seen a huge surge in searches for point-and-shoot cameras. According to resale platform Depop, listings for digital cameras have increased over 200% since 2023, and prices for used Canon and Nikon point-and-shoots have doubled in some cases.
Whether it’s a football game, a night out with friends or just walking around town, the flash of a camera is becoming as common as a smartphone selfie. The 2000s are back, but this time, they’re being reimagined by a generation raised on iPhones. So, while the photos may be blurry and the lighting a bit harsh, that’s the point.
Alexa • Nov 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I love old cameras… but not because they’re old. But because there has been a great dissonance between the cookie cutter manufacturing of today and the wave of individualism in existed in the 90s and 00s. People would rather have the quality of the past century, instead of the replace-able technology of today.