LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — In a world where technology and iPhones have unlimited updates and features, digital cameras still seem to be capturing pictures and memories of both teens and adults.
Why is this the case? What makes these cameras so special? To find out, I spoke with students at Los Alamitos High School and a local camera shop, Bill’s Camera, to get their individual perspectives on these digital cameras.
“I feel like the quality of the digital camera is more vintage,” said LAHS sophomore Tayla Wu. “(It) gives me more of a nostalgic feeling.”
Digital cameras bring a sense of fun to taking pictures in a way that the iPhone camera often doesn’t.
Taking pictures with a regular iPhone gives you sharp, high-quality photos. At the same time, a digital camera has more of an “imperfect aesthetic” but also does the job.
“All of my friends (have digital cameras), and I really liked how the photos turned out,” said Wu.
The digital camera offers many features that users love, such as a fast flash, a wider shooting range, automatic autofocus, adjustable shutter speed and improved image quality to suit your preferences.
“I feel like if you have a digital camera, you’ll take pictures more instead of having (those pictures) on your phone, it’s better,” said LAHS freshman Beya Meza.
Digital cameras rose to popularity in the late 1990s to the early 2000s. Early Gen Z users have often conveyed their desire for a Y2K and low-quality aesthetic.
“I think (the rise of digital cameras has) a couple of different reasons due to film costs,” said a Bill’s Camera employee. “Film became very popular, and then it got very expensive. So, people started shooting with a small compact digital.”
Even though digital cameras are all the rage now, they are not a new invention. In 1975, Steve Sasson created the first digital camera, a bulky camera that captured images on tape. As the years passed and technology advanced, engineers and companies began to develop more efficient cameras for retail sales.
If you’re interested in purchasing a digital camera, don’t waste another second. Bill’s Camera employee recommends a specific camera for digital lovers.
“I would normally recommend the Canon or the Sony Camera,” the employee said.
LAHS students also have a favorite type of camera that they recommend.
“Either the Kodak, the Canon or a Sony Camera,” Wu said.
Whether it’s the grainy flash, the fast upload or the exciting feeling of waiting to see how the pictures came out, indeed, digital cameras are definitely worth the hype.
“The digital cameras just have a different look. A little more vintage, different characteristics, definitely,” the Bill’s Camera employee said.
