By Siad Ahmed
If you really want to turn heads in a crowd these days, forget the latest iPhone – just pull out a digicam. Once forgotten at the back of drawers, those chunky little point-and-shoot cameras from the early 2000s are suddenly at the top of the new generation’s wish list.
A camera store owner in Dhaka, Zahir said, “A lot of young people come looking for old digital cameras now. It’s very hard to find one that’s both functional and in good condition. The demand is high, but the supply is thin.”
Online shops like Classic Camera BD, Analogue Cache and Classy Cams are riding the wave too, often selling out minutes after posting their latest drops. Prices range anywhere between Tk 5,000 and Tk 20,000, depending on the condition, proving that nostalgia doesn’t come cheap.
Among the most sought-after models are Sony DSCs, Canon PowerShots, IXUS lines, and Nikon Coolpix cameras – loved for their retro aesthetic and surprising reliability. The Canon G7X II has almost become mythic, often called the “holy grail” of digicams. You can still find it brand new, but only if you’re willing to pay upward of Tk 80,000.
So, why this sudden obsession?
Photographer Nahian, who owns professional gear but still carries a digicam everywhere, has a simple answer. “I don’t have to worry about the settings or the lens; I can just point the camera and capture the moment as it is,” he said. In an era where every image is polished and filtered, digicams stand out for their raw, unpolished honesty.
That’s a part of their charm. You don’t need to be a photographer to use one. With a digicam, there are no rules, no pressure to get it perfect. Just click and let the moment speak for itself.
Teenager Amira Chowdhury knows the feeling well. She carries her Canon PowerShot SX230 HS everywhere she goes. She said, “It feels more personal since the photo quality gives it a nostalgic vibe. Also, the fact that we can’t put that many filters or effects makes it more genuine. I’m still searching for a digicam that gives you that film vibe since most ones now look computerised and too polished.”
So, whether you’re chasing Instagram-ready shots straight out of the camera or simply want to freeze raw moments without worrying about white balance, sharpness, or focus, the humble digicam might be your best accessory. No overthinking. Just point and shoot.
