Old digital cameras are selling online for up to £300 due to Gen Z appeal – could YOU cash in?

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

Except young people are now using compact digital cameras once again, and the trend has taken off on social media thanks to its “retro” look and grainy image quality.

Generation Z loves to feel like they are capturing experiences in a more “authentic” way, filled with nostalgia for a time most of them never experienced.

“In a digital world where we are constantly taking thousands of photographs, compact digital cameras offer a slower, more thoughtful approach to photography,” said Luke Forshaw, head of marketing at technology resale website Back Market UK.

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

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

Many of us have old digital cameras lying around, so is it possible to capitalize on this trend?

How much could a digital camera sell for?

There is a great demand for second-hand offers. Brand new, these cameras can set buyers back hundreds of pounds.

Now might be an opportune time to look for your old camera, currently collecting dust in the back of a closet or in a box in the attic.

You could win over £100.

While this will largely depend on the model of camera, how well you’ve maintained it over the years, and what accessories you have on hand, it’s easy to check how much yours is worth by looking at items sold on sites. like eBay.

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

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

“Please note that the condition of the camera, whether it is fully functional or has rare components, can significantly affect its value.”

While a more run-of-the-mill product might not be enough to attract high-value bidders, the majority of models sold on Ebay sold for more than £30. Of course, this is £30 more than your camera sitting in a box at home earns.

However, with the right camera, you could get a lot more for your unwanted gear.

Sold listings for colored cameras turned out to be the most valuable, with sellers successfully selling them for over £100 each.

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

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

What other gadgets are back in fashion?

Cameras aren’t the only piece of retro technology that’s back in style with younger generations.

Record players and dumb phones (i.e. those that aren’t smartphones) are back in fashion as users look to reduce their use of more modern technologies, while gaming consoles such as the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy are also experiencing a surge 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.

“Dumb phones, 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 analog sound quality that many consider to be missing in digital music.

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

“This renewed interest highlights how people are increasingly drawn to retro technology for its ability to deliver more meaningful and focused experiences,” Forshaw said.