It is 2024, and retro-styled digital cameras like the brand new Fujifilm X100VI are very a lot in, however analysis by musicMagpie has delivered shocking findings in regards to the genuinely retro tech that individuals are actually trying to find on-line.
Whereas movie images is actually in vogue, with Gen Z turning to point-and-shoot cameras just like the Kodak Ektar H35, it seems that digital compact cameras from the 2000s and 2010s, just like the Nikon Coolpix S6900 (pictured above), are making a comeback.
TikTok, eBay and Google search analytics put Nikon Coolpix streets forward of tech together with the Motorola Razr, iPod Nano, Sony Walkman and Nintendo DS – all of that are themselves extremely common – with Coolpix hovering over 8,000% 12 months on 12 months on Google, and round 700% on Tiktok and eBay (you’ll be able to see the complete outcomes beneath).
The Nikon Coolpix S6900, which was launched in early 2015 and acquired a 3-star ranking in its TechRadar assessment – and which is way from being among the finest compact cameras – is the main mannequin on this retro revival, with eBay searches for it up 37,567% and Tiktok searches up 34,543%.
Picture high quality is actually not a trigger for the spike in demand for the Coolpix S6900 – your trendy smartphone takes higher pictures. Extra seemingly it is the neat design, which features a flip-screen for selfies and a built-in rear stand (see beneath) – one thing we lately noticed within the Canon Powershot V10 vlogging digicam – which by the way was the primary new Powershot mannequin for some years, with Powershot being the identify for Canon’s compact digicam line, which left us questioning if Canon had reopened its curiosity in compacts.
I might hedge a guess that the S6900 being accessible in pink is an even bigger purpose – based on the analysis, pink is the most well-liked shade on this specific retro tech revival. Nonetheless, I may need to concede one other considerably shallower issue, too – celebrities like Kendall Jenner popularizing the old fashioned by lately posting selfies utilizing classic digital cameras.
I am taking the analysis with a pinch of salt although. Not the numbers, however the conspicuous absence of Canon Powershot fashions and different digicam manufacturers like Sony and Olympus, who had been lively throughout the 2000s and 2010s when digital compact cameras had been nonetheless a factor. Absolutely there’s search quantity for these manufacturers too? Nonetheless, it is placing how Nikon Coolpix is outperforming different common retro tech like flip telephones, MP3 and cassette gamers.
Digital camera corporations have lengthy since given up on producing new point-and-shoot compact cameras, just because the very best digicam telephones outperform them and all however worn out demand. Nonetheless, it seems that such cameras, now labelled ‘classic’, have gotten common as soon as once more – and regardless of their poor picture high quality, a few of them have neat design options that we do not actually see in right this moment’s greatest cameras, just like the S6900’s built-in rear stand.
Now’s the time to ask a member of the family, or rummage by means of drawers at house within the seek for classic digital compact cameras just like the S6900. Moreover standing to probably money in given the rising worth of such fashions, you would possibly simply rediscover what the fuss was about all these years in the past, or discover pleasure in utilizing an easier point-and-shoot mannequin.
- eBay is a well-liked place to seek out classic digital compact cameras, however there are additionally authorised secondhand retailers that we advocate, together with MPB, Adorama, B&H and KEH within the US, whereas UK buyers may strive MPB plus Wex Photograph Video and Park Cameras.