Old digital cameras promote for as much as £300 on-line because of Gen Z enchantment: Could YOU money in?

With baggy jeans and Adidas Campus trainers back in vogue, you could be forgiven for thinking you had been transported back 20 years to a time when kids used Tamagotchis instead of TikTok, and selfies were taken using digital cameras instead of smartphones.

Except young people are now using noughties compact digital cameras once again, with the trend having taken off on social media thanks to their ‘retro’ look and grainy picture quality.

Gen Zs are keen to feel that they are capturing experiences in a more ‘authentic’ way, filled with nostalgia for a time most of them never actually experienced.

‘In a digital world where we’re constantly snapping thousands of pictures, compact digital cameras offer a slower, more thoughtful approach to photography,’ Luke Forshaw, head of marketing at tech resale website Back Market UK, said.

‘Many people enjoy the charm of the imperfections in the photos, such as grain or light leaks.

‘Younger generations are embracing these cameras to create unique social media content that stands out from the polished digital aesthetic.’

Plenty of us have old digital cameras knocking around, so is it possible to cash in on the trend?  

Back in fashion: Compact digital cameras have become popular among younger people due to their ‘authentic’ feel, according to one second-hand tech expert 

 How much could a digital camera sell for?

There is high demand for second hand offerings. Brand new, these cameras can set buyers back well into the hundreds of pounds.

Now could be an opportune time to go searching for your old camera, currently gathering dust in the back of a cupboard or a box in the attic.

You could find yourself able to net more than £100.

While this will largely depend on what model the camera is, as well as how well you have kept it over the years, and what accessories you have on hand, it is easy to check what yours is worth by looking at items selling on sites like Ebay.

Forshaw told This is Money: ‘To find out if your old camera is valuable, start by checking the brand and model.

‘Popular brands, such as Leica, Fujifilm or Canon, hold their value particularly well. 

‘Keep in mind that the condition of the camera, whether it’s fully functional or has rare components, can significantly affect its value.’

While a more run-of-the-mill product might not be enough to garner high value bidders, most of the models sold on Ebay fetched more than £30. This of course is £30 more than your camera is earning stashed in a box at home.

However, with the right camera, you could find yourself receiving much more for your unwanted kit.

Sold listings for coloured cameras proved the most valuable, with sellers successfully flogging them for over £100 apiece.

One pink Canon camera, the IXY 630 model dating from 2014, sold for more than £300 in September. 

A red Nikon, also dating from the 2010s, sold for £112.50, while a gold Sony camera which first went on sale in 2009 went for £117 on the reselling site.

What other gadgets are back in fashion?

Cameras aren’t the only retro piece of technology back in fashion among younger generations.

Record players and dumbphones (non-smartphones that is) are both back in vogue as users look to reduce their usage of more modern technologies, while games consoles like Nintendo 64 and Game Boy are also seeing a rise in popularity.

‘These technologies tap into a growing demand for simplicity and nostalgia, often offering a break from the fast pace of modern digital life,’ Forshaw said.

‘Dumbphones, for example, are gaining traction as people look for ways to disconnect from constant notifications and social media, while vinyl records are celebrated for their warmth and analogue sound quality that many feel is missing from digital music.’

According to Back Market’s retro audio category, which includes CDs and vinyl, there has been growth of 123 per cent, while searches for Ipods have risen 25 per cent.

‘This renewed interest highlights how people are increasingly drawn to retro tech for its ability to offer more meaningful, focused experiences,’ Forshaw said.