“Less clear, slightly shaky photos are more hip”…2030s seeking digital cameras

A nostalgic yearning for the "raw" aesthetic of the past is fueling a revival of vintage digital cameras among South Korea's 20- and 30-somethings. These younger consumers are actively seeking out the imperfect charm of older devices, finding them more "hip" than the flawless images produced by modern smartphones.

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Smartphone photos lack character. Photos that are less clear and slightly shaky are more hip.

"Smartphone photos lack character," explained Park Ga-eun, 24, who recently purchased a 2013 Canon PowerShot A2600. "Photos that are less clear and slightly shaky are more hip." This sentiment reflects a broader trend where users embrace the light leaks, noise, and slight blurriness of older digital cameras, seeking a sense of freedom and authenticity.

The demand is evident in the market. Searches for "digital cameras" on Naver Data Lab increased by approximately 22% in the first half of this year compared to last year. In Seoul's Sewoon Sangga, a hub for electronics, the number of vintage digital camera stores has grown from two to five, with two more expected to open soon. Some discontinued models have seen their prices more than triple.

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The number of vintage digital camera stores in Sewoon Sangga, which used to be about two, has increased to five this year, and two more are scheduled to open in July.

This trend has also spurred the creation of camera rental shops, catering to those who want to experience different models before buying or use them as unique date activities. Online, a culture of sharing information about camera settings, color tones, and repair shops has emerged. A new term, "dignol" (digicam +놀이, play), has even been coined to describe the hobby of documenting daily life with these cameras on social media.

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I recently cleaned out my house looking for a digital camera. I'm using one that works, and I plan to find batteries to revive two others.

Psychologists suggest this phenomenon reflects a desire among younger generations, accustomed to perfect and heavily edited images, to find comfort and freedom in the "rougher" outputs of vintage digital cameras. This contrasts with the often-idealized memories associated with older generations' photographs, which these users find appealing.

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Digital cameras that could be bought for 100,000 won are now barely available for 300,000 won.