Point and shoot: the rebirth of digital cameras

Point and shoot cameras are making a comeback, reviving a digital age already in the past.

There has been a steady rise in popularity of the early 2000s staple in the past few years among Gen Z.

Digital cameras have become a key item of any student party and are highly sought-after online, with reseller prices spiking with 2500 Trade Me listings.

Popular models like the Sony Cyber-Shot in good condition can go for more than $1000 on Trade Me, more than four times their original value of $250 in the early 2000s.

The Sony cyber-shot camera model made waves in the 2000s before it became the most wanted camera by Gen Z today.

A 2008 Oprah.com article by Farah Miller called the cyber-shot a must-have for planning any "21st-Century Bash".

Searches for point-and-shoots on Google have been increasing since 2020, spiking in December 2024 and the same month in 2025 as digicams prove to be one of the most popular Christmas gifts for Gen z.

Meanwhile, digital camera reselling accounts on platforms like Instagram and Facebook marketplace have gained thousands of followers.

A Christchurch resident, who is referred to as Sav, saw this gap in the New Zealand market and created an Instagram digital camera reselling account, gaining more than 2000 followers since its initial launch.

Sav sources cameras through vintage shops and op shops as well as second hand markets, testing and cleaning all the cameras before listing them on Instagram to keep up with the hype.

"[Thrifted.pix has] grown really quickly, especially over the past year with a strong response from Gen Z who love the nostalgic look and feel of digicams."

"I think the growth really reflects how people are moving towards more intentional 'imperfect' photography and wanting something different than smartphones," said Sav.

Auckland Student Jordis Perira has been using a digital camera regularly since 2023.

"It captures moments in a way that feels so real and nostalgic.

“The imperfect textures and unique colours make the photos more meaningful and feel more like memories captured in time.”

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