Gen Z is getting credit for bringing back compact cameras of the early 2000s. But besides nostalgia and snapping photos without the distraction of a smartphone, I think there’s another key reason these old cameras are trending: price. Yes, you can find brand new compact cameras without resorting to used eBay models, but these options often surpass the four figure price mark. While the trends have brought some cheap compact cameras, many of them are pretty “meh.” There could be another workaround to getting a small, good camera without spending more than a grand: vlogging cameras like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 or the Sony ZV-1 series.
Developing cameras that meet the trends takes some time and, as a result, the response to the rising popularity of compact cameras has been a slow trickle. Premium compacts like the Fujifilm X100 series or Rich GR line never really went away, but these already pricey cameras are getting even pricier with the booming compact trend. There’s the new Panasonic ZS99 and the Nikon P1100, but both are a minor refresh and the latter is too pricey for many budget shoppers.
