Why are compact cameras coming back?

Compact cameras are well and truly in. A lot of digital ink has been spilled over this (including by yours truly), and it’s a fact that compact cameras have gone from being relics of yesteryear to this year’s must-have accessory. The Fujifilm X100VI was the standout sellout of last year, and if pre-interest levels are any indication, it looks like the Ricoh GR IV might repeat that trick when stock arrives. Sony has also gotten in on the action, with the unexpected resurrection of its RX1R premium full-frame compact line, the RX1R III.

There are lots of reasons why compact cameras are ruling the roost once again. Last time I wrote about this, I looked mostly at the 2000s-nostalgia side of things. This is a factor, for sure, but it doesn’t explain everything, so this time I want to broaden the scope and examine a few more explanations for why compact cameras are making such a spectacular comeback in the 2020s. Why is the compact camera comeback happening? Here are, I reckon, the key reasons…

People are bored of their phones

As the smartphone has become the device around which people’s entire lives have reoriented, people are looking for ways to get away from their phones and be more in the moment. A compact camera is the ideal choice; lacking an internet connection, these devices won’t pester the user with notifications or prompt them to instantly share their just-shot images to social media.

Also, it feels like AI-powered image processing is getting heavier and heavier with each new generation of flagship smartphones. If you’re honest with yourself, the sea off the coast of Penzance wasn’t really as blue as your iPhone made it look, was it? As such, the comparatively naturalistic look offered by compact cameras can feel like something of a panacea to over-processed, over-filtered Instagram shots — a return to a simpler time.

People want the fun of film – without the cost

There are loads of things that are great fun about film – the unique look of images, the tactile process of loading and unloading, the uncertainty of knowing what you’ve shot until the prints or scans come back. However, film comes with unavoidable ongoing costs: there’s the film itself, the development, and the continued maintenance of older cameras which are prone to developing faults (believe me…).

Digital compact cameras provide a similar lo-fi experience, without all those ongoing costs. Indeed, some manufacturers have leaned into this, producing compact cameras that replicate the feel of shooting film by preventing you from seeing your images immediately after capture, and forcing you to wait until you have downloaded them onto another device. Prominent recent examples include the Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital Camera, and of course, the Fujifilm X-Half.

Content creators are always looking for an edge

The world of video content has never been more competitive, with millions of creators jostling for an audience’s attention every hour of every day. Everyone who wants their YouTube channel or Instagram account to pop off is looking for an edge over the competition — and many have found it in compact cameras. Specialist vlogging cameras like the Canon PowerShot V1 or the Sony ZV-1 II deliver all the mobility and flexibility that content creators are looking for, while providing a clear upgrade in video and audio quality compared to most smartphones.

Premium compacts are eternally cool

Okay, this is somewhat subjective — but also, I am definitely correct. Premium compacts with pin-sharp fixed lenses are just cool. They slip into a pocket, they make photography fun and accessible, and they allow you to focus on image-making without distractions. You’ll never have nagging thoughts about changing lenses, or be distracted by a vibration because someone’s just tagged you in some Thought Leadership on LinkedIn.

There’s a reason that the Fujifilm X100 cameras have been popular and sought-after since their inception, just as there’s a reason that the Ricoh GR IV is one of the most hotly anticipated releases of the year. These cameras look good, they feel great to use, and they capture brilliant imagery. So, if you want to be one of the first to know when it drops, pre-order your Ricoh GR IV now.

About the Author

Jon Stapley is a London-based freelance writer and journalist who covers photography, art and technology. When not writing about cameras, Jon is a keen photographer who captures the world using his Olympus XA2. His creativity extends to works of fiction and other creative writing, all of which can be found on his website www.jonstapley.com