Digital cameras, first popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, have recently gained traction and are more commonly used among teenagers than ever before. This could be associated with a new interest in 2000s culture and customs within the communities of these teens, but what makes them special? 

Digital cameras, or digicams, have certain unique features not found in modern cameras, such as lower grain quality, brighter flash, and the iconic date and time in the bottom corner. 

“When it comes out, it has kind of got like a little retro vibe to it; looks pretty cool,” said Joanie Howard, a freshman

However, this is not the first time that lower-quality pictures have been in style. 

For several years leading up to this trend, pictures were edited on specific websites to appear grainier and brighter, giving the illusion of being shot on an older camera. However, with increased accessibility to these sought-after cameras, the need for editing has diminished. Digital cameras also have a new appeal due to new local matters since 

“With the new phone ban, you know, a lot of people are starting to have to stay off their phones, so it is a good thing to use.”, said.  Addison Lovell, junior

And while digital cameras work for these specific cases, many are drawn to them for other reasons, including nostalgia. Many Gen Zers were born around the time digicams were popular, and with new trends relating to birth years, many have become nostalgic for that era. This overall draw to the 2000s with Gen Z applies to physical media such as these cameras. Some might even say that cameras aren’t the most popular form of the physical media craze, but vinyls, or long-play records. When asked why physical media is getting more popular, 

“I think that we as a society are kind of starting to realize, hey, these phones are like not the best thing in the world, and so we are kind of slowly turning towards those non-phone items,” said Lovell 

Digital cameras are so much more than the sunset pictures on the beach you see when scrolling. Digital cameras are proof of the 2000s era returning and a new generation finding and identifying themselves through the revival of relics like these.