TOKYO: Japanese camera makers are trying to attract members of Generation Z, or mainly those in their teens and in their 20s, who are used to smartphone cameras, by touting the uniqueness of their products, such as their small size or video filming function.

Older compact digital cameras are also making a comeback, with demand surging within the second-hand market.

In October, Fujifilm Corp. added the Instax Pal to its Instax instant camera lineup known as “Cheki” in Japan.

Small enough to fit into the palm of a user’s hand, the Instax Pal does not include a built-in printing feature. To print pictures taken with the new camera, people will need to use a photo printer sold separately.

“We are increasing production thanks to strong sales,” said Teiichi Goto, president and CEO of Fujifilm’s parent, Fujifilm Holdings Corp.

Canon Inc. has zoomed in on demand among those who are no longer satisfied with camera functions in their smartphones and instead want to record high-quality videos easily.

The PowerShot V10, launched in June, has a compact, vertical design, making the product more user-friendly for the generation of people used to using smartphones. The camera also features a large microphone and a built-in stand.

“Sales are strong, with reservations more than double what we expected,” a Canon public relations official said.

The revival of the Y2K fashion style that had spread around 2000 especially among the younger generation has brought back the popularity of older compact digital cameras as well.

The number of older compact digital cameras traded on the flea market app Mercari in the first 10 months of this year more than doubled from a year before. The average transaction prices of such products has been rising since 2019.

In recent years, however, the number of new cameras available on the market has declined due to the popularity of smartphones.

“Securing stocks of used compact digital cameras is the biggest challenge,” said an official at 2nd Street Corp., a thrift store unit of DVD rental shop operator Geo Holdings Corp.

JIJI Press