Journal
Y2K Digital Cameras: What to Look For Before You Buy
Most of what people call Y2K cameras are the compact digital cameras of roughly 2000 to 2012. The look comes from a few specific things: the sensors they used, the built-in flash, and how small and simple they were. Here's what's behind it, and what to check before you buy one.
What counts as a Y2K digital camera
The pocket digital cameras of the 2000s and early 2010s: Sony Cyber-shot, Canon PowerShot, Nikon Coolpix, Fujifilm FinePix, Kodak EasyShare, Olympus, and the store brands sold next to them. Most were made to be simple. A few were serious cameras in small bodies.
Why they look the way they do
The sensor. Most pocket cameras from this era used a CCD sensor. Around 2010 and 2011, most manufacturers switched to CMOS, which is cleaner and better in low light. CCD color tends to come out warmer and more saturated, and that's a lot of the look.
The flash. The flash sits right next to the lens, so it lights the subject hard and lets the background fall off dark.
Sensor size, more than megapixels. A 4 or 5 megapixel camera from 2003 can look better than a 14 megapixel one from 2011. Most compacts used a small 1/2.3" sensor. Some used a larger 1/1.8" sensor, which gives more depth and less noise. The Sony DSC-S85 and Nikon Coolpix P2 both use one.
Three kinds
Pocket compacts. Small, simple, flash on. The Fujifilm FinePix JX is one of the last pocket cameras with a CCD. The Optimus 5MP was RadioShack's house brand.
Early enthusiast cameras. Compact bodies with better lenses and manual control, usually with the larger sensor. The Sony DSC-S85 has a Carl Zeiss lens. The Nikon Coolpix P2 has a Nikkor.
Superzooms. Bigger, with a grip and a long lens. Better for travel and street than for a night out. The Kodak EasyShare Z740 has a 10x zoom in front of a CCD. The Olympus SP-810UZ and Nikon Coolpix P500 both reach 36x.
What to check before you buy
Most of these cameras are 15 years old or more. Most problems are easy to spot.
- It powers on and the lens extends cleanly. A "lens error" or a grinding sound usually means a jammed zoom.
- It takes and plays back photos. Powering on isn't the same as working.
- The screen. Look for dead or stuck pixels and dark corners.
- The flash fires.
- The battery door. On cameras that take AA batteries, check for corrosion.
- Photos of the actual camera, not a stock image.
Every digital camera on this site is checked for all of the above, and anything cosmetic, like a stuck pixel, is shown in the photos. More in how we test.
Batteries
Most of these cameras use a rechargeable battery made for that model, and the originals are usually dead by now. Before you buy, check that a working battery and charger are included. Finding one separately is the most common problem. A few cameras take regular AA batteries, which is easiest.
Ours come with a new battery and charger, or fresh batteries, so they're ready to shoot.
Memory cards
- SD. The most common. Older cameras may only read original SD cards, which top out at 2GB. SDHC (4GB to 32GB) arrived in 2006, and cameras made before it usually won't read it. Check what your camera supports before buying a card.
- Memory Stick. Sony's format, used by most early-2000s Cyber-shots, including the DSC-S85.
- xD-Picture Card. Used by Fujifilm and Olympus for part of the 2000s. Some of those models also take SD.
When we include a card, it's one the camera reads.
Getting the photos off
The easiest way is a USB card reader for the camera's card format. Plug it into your computer or phone and copy the photos over. Most of these cameras also connect by USB, but a card reader is faster and doesn't need old software.
Common questions
Are Y2K digital cameras worth it?
If you like the look, yes. It's hard to get the same thing from a phone filter.
What's the best one for a beginner?
A pocket compact with a working battery and charger included, or one that takes AA batteries.
Do megapixels matter?
Less than you'd think. Sensor size and the lens matter more.
What if I need help after it arrives?
Settings, batteries, cards, getting photos onto your phone: email customerservice@miavntg.com.
