There have been a bunch of new cameras that have come out in the past few years. But the most fascinating ones for photographers are the new screenless digital cameras available now. These are an ode to a world long gone now, before social media, algorithms telling us what’s a good photo vs what isn’t, and global pandemics. These cameras aren’t meant to do serious work, though they probably could. Instead, they’re designed to shoot photos that will delight us in moments where we’re not trying to be serious and don’t want to look at screens. Let’s explore these a bit more.
Before I go on, this article isn’t designed to be super long. It’s designed more for an introduction to screenless digital cameras.
Who are Screenless Digital Cameras For?
To recap and expand on the last paragraph: screenless digital cameras are designed for folks who look at screens way too much. In fact, it started out with the original Camp Snap camera. This camera was designed to replace disposable film cameras and instead have the disposable film aesthetic and the early digital camera look. More importantly, it’s all about having no screens in front of you.
But that idea was for kids. Instead, millennials and Gen Z ended up buying those cameras up.
In a world where we’re connecting with our surroundings using a phone or a computer screen primarily, it’s nice to know that these screenless digital cameras exist.
On top of that, I feel that I’m really in love with them because they let me shoot and just be in the moment with my friends and loved ones.
What Makes These Cameras so Special?
Don’t think of screenless digital cameras as something akin to having AI in a camera or autofocus that can find people of color in low light. Instead, they’re less about the clinical image quality and big on the filters with being present in the moment. I shoot with modern digital cameras both professionally and for fun. When I use my Nikon Zf, I end up looking at the screen or into an EVF only to then want to make corrections of some sort. But with these screenless digital cameras, you’re using an on-camera flash of some sort to often get results that look like they’re from the 90s or 2000s.
Considering today’s times, it’s nice to think back to those eras.
Now here’s a confession: earlier this year I bought a Panasonic LUMIX S1R II. And I love that camera. But I’ve barely picked it up and relegate it pretty much to just serious photography work. Instead, I’ve spent so much more time with my Camp Snap. Echolens, and Paper Shoot cameras.
Why Buy One?
Why not get one? If you’re sick of staring at screens, if you’re sick of algorithms permeating through your head, and if you’re done with the endless scroll, then slow down and get one of these cameras.
They usually cost less than a restaurant tab too!