Retro digital cameras see sales surge as adults seek screen-free alternatives
9 reported
A company called Camp Snap, which originally sold screen-free cameras for children at summer camps, has seen unexpected demand from adults, particularly Gen Z and millennials. Camp Snap President Trevor George said the company quickly realized the trend extended beyond kids. Canon reported that sales of its PowerShot point-and-shoot camera jumped nearly sevenfold from 2022 to 2025, while Camp Snap said its sales more than doubled in the past year. The company also launched a screen-free retro camcorder last year, which was spotted in the hands of celebrities including Selena Gomez and Joe Jonas, and at Taylor Swift’s wedding. Users describe the grainy, fuzzy, overexposed look of turn-of-the-millennium digital photos as more genuine and flattering compared to hyper-sharp smartphone images. Some consumers, like Christina Berkett, a wedding photographer from New Jersey, use the cameras to avoid phone notifications and relive moments later. eBay told NPR it is seeing a surge in searches for old-school tech like iPods, CDs, and Walkmans.
What’s reported
Camp Snap originally sold screen-free cameras for children at summer camps.
Camp Snap President Trevor George said Gen Z and millennial adults began buying the cameras unexpectedly.
Canon reported PowerShot sales jumped nearly sevenfold from 2022 to 2025.
Camp Snap said its sales more than doubled in the past year.
Camp Snap launched a screen-free retro camcorder last year, used by Selena Gomez, Joe Jonas, and seen at Taylor Swift’s wedding.
Users Jaden Williams (16), Katie Coyne (24), and Gwen Coyne described the vintage photo look as more genuine and flattering.
Christina Berkett (34) uses a point-and-shoot to avoid phone notifications and relive moments later.
eBay reported a surge in searches for iPods, CDs, and Walkmans.
Berkett, a wedding photographer, said couples request old-school camcorder footage for a home-video feel, filmed vertically for smartphone viewing.
Key figures
Trevor George, President of Camp Snap
Jaden Williams, 16, from North Carolina
Katie Coyne, 24, from New York
Gwen Coyne, from Philadelphia
Christina Berkett, 34, from New Jersey
Sources: NPR
