2000s trends are continuously making comebacks, and one of the more popular being used by teens is old digital and film cameras. 

It might seem like a surprise to the older generations that people would want to use something older rather than what’s considered newer and to have better quality, but there are many reasons as to why digital cameras might be better than smartphone cameras. 

People love digital cameras for their ease of use. Its size makes it portable as it’s so easy to carry with you anywhere you go: road trips, beach trips, parties, concerts, museums, or just simply hanging out with friends. There is no limit.

I think what makes them special to Gen Z are the nostalgic memories we tie with them. Since our parents used them, it reminds us of what we saw growing up. 

The quality is a huge aspect to why older digital cameras are so popular. It’s different from the normal phone quality we are used to. They are grainy, maybe even slightly blurry but in a good way. It has a vintage look which is exciting to people, perfect for night time flash photos. It’s similar to when we saw a wave of people switching to flip phones for the quality and the “vintage aesthetic”. 

They have gained popularity within celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Bella Hadid, Charli D’Amelio, and more.

If you want a cheaper option, disposable cameras are a good option. FujiFilm Quicksnap One-Time-use cameras are very popular. You can get them for about $10 at local markets, like Target, Walmart, CVS, and more. My friends and I bring them everywhere with us. It’s exciting to take a photo and not know what it will look like until later when you get it developed. It helps you stay present in the moment. 

To get your pictures developed places like Walgreens, CVS, and RiteAid are always good, however if you are looking to get your pictures developed quicker there are smaller businesses all around Los Angeles where you can do so for a decent price. 

Here is a photo of my friend and I during the Pink Out Football game taken by Leila Goldshmidt on her Olympus 6.0 digital camera, originally released in 2006. Goldshmidt is also on Girls Tennis and brought her camera to a couple of games, getting awesome snapshots of the team.

Her process to get her photos developed is using a cable to upload them onto her computer. If she wants to print them out she either just uses a regular printer or what she prefers to do is upload them onto a USB stick and take it to either Walgreens or Staple. “You can get a ton printed for around $5,” she says. It’s an easy process. 

She likes to use a digital camera instead of her phone, because more thought goes into it. “People will snap a bunch of pictures while doing something without thinking and that takes away from the moment,” she says. 

This is a candid photo of sophomore Ruby Martinez taken on her WZMEYAO kids’ digital camera. She finds them to be a better option as they are more unique than the day-to-day iphone photos we are used to seeing. 

“I love digital cameras, they’re so fun. Everyone takes casual pictures on their phones, it’s more meaningful to have something physical to tie to memories,” she says. “They also come out with different qualities, which have a nostalgic feel that appeals to everyone.”

Her process to get them printed is also similar. She uploads them on her computer and then takes them to Costco, CVS or another photo developing place.

When my parents saw me taking photos on their old Fujifilm FinePix Z1000 EXR, they were confused why my generation would prefer an “old camera” instead of the newer phones that have “a way better quality”, and though it might be true that using a phone is slightly less work, it’s not nearly as exciting.

Whether you’re searching for a way to quickly capture moments with friends, or simply like the vintage look, it’s a good idea to get yourself one… or you can be like me, and dig up your parents’ old camera.