It’s not just nostalgia — something bigger might be going on
They’re Selling Out? Really?
Fujifilm recently shared that their disposable camera sales are way up — and I’ll admit, that gave me pause. In a year where smartphones can shoot in RAW and AI can turn your cat into an oil painting, the idea that people are rushing out to buy 1980s-era plastic cameras? Kinda wild.
For transparency, I’m already deep in the Fujifilm ecosystem. I’ve been using the X100VI for a while now and recently added the X-T5 to my kit. So yes, I like Fuji. But disposable cameras? That’s not a part of my current workflow. Still, the numbers and the growing buzz have me curious — curious enough that I might pick one up soon and report back.
Because if this is the thing catching fire in 2025, I want to understand why.
A Rebellion in a Box?
Let’s be real: digital photography today is slick, fast, and sometimes… a bit much. Between perfect lighting setups, color grading apps, and algorithm-ready posing, photography can feel more like performance than play.
And that’s where these little cameras come in. You don’t tweak settings. You don’t retake shots. You click, move on, and hope for the best. That simplicity? It’s refreshing. In fact, it’s probably part of the appeal — a quiet rebellion against all the polish.
It’s like photography with the training wheels off, not on.
Memory Over Masterpiece
From what I’ve seen and heard, the charm isn’t about image quality — it’s about capturing real, raw moments. The framing might be off. The lighting might be weird. But that randomness adds character. It feels lived-in, not staged.
Scroll through TikTok or Instagram lately and you’ll find disposable film dumps from concerts, camping trips, college parties. These aren’t accidental throwbacks — they’re intentional choices. People are leaning into the unpredictability. They want keepsakes, not just content.
Why Fujifilm’s Version Stands Out
Sure, Kodak and others are in the mix, but Fujifilm’s QuickSnap seems to be leading the charge. It’s compact, durable, and preloaded with that signature Fujicolor film — which delivers warm, nostalgic tones that feel straight out of a scrapbook.
Plus, Fujifilm’s been giving these cameras a sustainability boost by using refurbished parts. That doesn’t erase the environmental impact, but it helps ease the guilt a bit — especially compared to newer throwaway gadgets.
Trevor Score: 8/10 — A surprising return to feeling over perfection
This isn’t a formal review — it’s just how I felt watching this trend play out. A gut-check from someone who’s tempted to jump in.
I haven’t shot with one of these yet — but the sudden rise in popularity, the aesthetic vibe, and the emotional appeal have definitely put it on my radar. If I do grab one and shoot a roll, I’ll follow up with the good, the bad, and whatever gets burned into the negatives. For now, I’m giving it points for sparking something real in a very curated world.
When Simplicity Becomes the Statement
This comeback isn’t just about film or filters. It’s about rediscovering the joy of making photos without needing them to be perfect. That shift — from performance to presence — might explain why these little green boxes are flying off shelves again.
One Last Snap
I haven’t tried Fujifilm’s disposable camera yet — but if this trend keeps growing, I just might. And if I do, you’ll hear about it. Because sometimes the best way to understand a movement is to join it, one click at a time.
