Growing up with my very own digital camera, I fell in love with snapping pictures of everything—there was nothing more exciting than seeing life in pixels (and cell phone cameras had not yet been born). As I got older, though, I became more pretentious with my photography (as, perhaps, we all do)—only seeking out 35 millimeter film cameras (a.k.a. my old beloved, Canon AE-1) for the vintage-feel golden grain shots and thrill of precision. Attention to the detail, light, and depth—all catering to the “perfect shot,” and for sustainable use of semi-expensive film.
Like most social trend waves set by nostalgia-seekers, the return of digital cameras hit a few years ago—this time, all for the aesthetic. And packing up to leave New York for a soul-searching stint abroad with my dearest friend, we, together, thought, what better time? With little expectations due to its affordability, we purchased the 32GB Camkory digital camera from Amazon (in pink, of course), installed the SD card, and it soon became one of the most treasured travel companions to capture our rendezvous across Europe.
Our weekends routinely included snapping photos of each other in buzzy tourist spots around the cities we visited. My favorite example, and one of our more iconic friendship moments: a photoshoot at Buckingham Palace in matching Y2K-inspired outfits and London-pride flags (pardon the subtle brag, but two other tourists subsequently did ask if we were famous). Serving its intended purpose, the camera was a swift carry, both light as a feather and portable—a perfect fit for one hand for easy point and shoots. It could fit in any back pocket, but when traveling, it’s best to keep it away in a small purse or crossbody bag for protection. With one battery that requires charge, we’d plug it in for an hour or so before leaving, and it would stay on for around eight hours. Note: The battery isn’t the strongest compared to other digital cameras made by more expensive brands (Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc.), but it has an auto-off functionality for convenient energy conservation.
If not clear already: This camera is absolutely not for fussy photographers. The focus is a bit spotty, and the videos (which also records audio) are a tad shaky (no matter how still you stand). This is not the purchase for high quality, sharp images. Its function is for undemanding use and its nostalgic output. It’s the perfect gift for on-the-go beginners who are bored of their phone pictures. It’s really suitable for anyone at any age who enjoys a simple and fun way to take retro-styled pictures. All uploads from the SD card to laptops (and then, iPhones) were smooth and easy—the process taking less than 10 minutes each time.
Not to mention, the little gem is a trooper, and proved surprisingly durable after all its nights out on the town. Even in the chaos of crowded dance floors with flashing lights under the disco ball—in its own pixel magic, it managed to prove strong to this day with zero scratches on the lens. It truly captures the energy of these special and fleeting moments (all now stored safely in the Cloud, on a separate album from our basic iPhone photos). After two years, the battery life and flash is only slightly worn out, but otherwise, the camera still functions exactly as new.
As for the fussy photographers: It might be in good practice to come to appreciate this camera’s simplicity in a world full of filters and over-complicated editing tools. In a recent conversation with my dear friend (and camera co-owner), he tied its sentiment wisely: “Sometimes, the best memories come from the imperfect moments—the blurry shots, the unfiltered fun—and this, now well-traveled, camera is a sweet reminder of that.”
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