16 April 2025
The Great Compact Camera Revival (Yes, Really)
Devices
16 April 2025
A decade after smartphones supposedly killed it, the compact camera is the unlikeliest comeback story in tech. Fujifilm's X100VI has run months-long waiting lists since early 2024; second-hand prices for old Canon compacts have doubled on the back of a TikTok "digicam" trend; and manufacturers are rushing new pocket models to market for the first time in years.
What's driving it
- Distinctiveness. Every phone photo looks like a phone photo — processed, perfect, identical. A dedicated camera's rendering, especially with character-rich colour profiles, stands out in feeds drowning in sameness.
- The AI backlash. As synthetic imagery floods the internet, "shot on an actual camera" is becoming a quiet mark of authenticity — younger audiences especially prize the imperfect, real-looking image.
- Focus. A camera does one job, with no notifications. Creators report simply enjoying it more — and enjoyment shows in output.
The business angle
Your brand photography faces the same sameness problem. A modest compact — even a good used one for a couple of hundred pounds — can give your website and social imagery a consistent, recognisable look that phone snaps can't. In 2025, looking slightly less perfect and considerably more human is a competitive position.