Increased Market Value of Used Sony Compact Camera Stands Testimony to Its Enduring Quality.
The revival of pocket cameras has sparked a supply shortage that has caused people to shell out more than necessary to get their hands on a compact camera.
This unexpected comeback of point-and-shoot cameras caught the camera industry off guard. As smartphone cameras steadily improved their photography capabilities, the sales of point-and-shoot cameras seemed to be on a downward spiral. Yet, here we are, witnessing their sudden rise in popularity... again.
I bought my last compact camera six years ago during the Cyber Monday sale. It was the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90, a gift I got for my wife for our travel adventures. We had recently traveled to New Zealand and India, and it became quite evident that the limited viewing angles offered by her smartphone were not adequate for capturing many of the breathtaking sights we encountered.
I paid approximately £250 during the Black Friday sale, and I thought I had gotten a fantastic deal – but I wasn't expecting it to be worth more today.
Upon checking eBay today, I can see that this camera would typically cost you around £275 - £300. In the U.S., I can see it selling for up to $450. And that's not the usual trend for cameras – they tend to depreciate in value as soon as you purchase them...
But the reason my wife's HX90 is now worth more than I paid for it is quite obvious. For starters, popular compact cameras are still in short supply, with the scarcity of stock of models like the Fujifilm X100VI and the Kodak FZ45 receiving vast attention.
More significantly, you can't buy a new camera that offers even a fraction of the HX90's specifications for anything close to the price I paid.
The appeal of this Sony for me was its built-in 30x optical zoom, enabling me to capture the birds and animals we saw during our travels. Although the sensor was small, its compact size was perfect for our needs. And with a reasonable limit of 18MP, the 1/2.3 in sensor was still capable of producing decent-enough images.
Apart from its practical benefits, I also appreciated the thoughtful design of this camera, appealing to my inner photographer. It boasts a wide range of exposure modes, allowing me to shoot in aperture priority when I use it. And then there's the ingenious pop-up electronic viewfinder, making it possible to use the camera in bright sunlight and still put it up to my eye.
If you're in the market for a new zoom compact with an eyelevel finder, the only one you're likely to find, assuming it's in stock, is the larger-sensored Sony RX100 VIIA. But that will cost you $1,699 / £1,049. Given the price of the second-hand Sony HX90, now roughly equivalent to its original price, it appears to be an even more attractive deal, despite the increase in cost...
By Chris GeorgeChris George is an accomplished writer in the field of photography and technology, with over 30 years of experience under his belt. He has edited numerous magazines, including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, Video Camera, and Professional Photography.
His debut camera was the legendary Olympus OM10, with which he won the title of Young Photographer of the Year prior to the age of autofocus and memory cards. Today, he continues to use a Sony A7 IV, alongside his Nikon D800 and latest iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The appeal of point-and-shoot cameras like the HX90 lies in their simplicity, portability, and retro aesthetics, as well as their ability to provide a more authentic photographic experience compared to the automated, processed outputs of smartphones. Additionally, they offer controlled zoom and optical image stabilization in a compact package, addressable storage space, and embrace slight imperfections in their results. For these reasons, and despite their increasing value, point-and-shoot cameras continue to serve a unique niche in the ever-evolving landscape of photography.
- The surge in demand for pocket cameras has resulted in a supply shortage, causing people to pay inflated prices for compact cameras.
- The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90, a popular compact camera, can typically be purchased for around £275 - £300 on eBay today.
- In the United States, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90 sells for up to $450 due to the scarcity of stock.
- The reason for the increased value of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90 is due to its unique specifications, such as a 30x optical zoom and a pop-up electronic viewfinder.
- If you're looking for a new zoom compact with an eyelevel finder, the only one available, assuming it's in stock, is the larger-sensored Sony RX100 VIIA, which costs $1,699 / £1,049.
- Point-and-shoot cameras like the HX90 offer simplified photography, portability, retro aesthetics, and a more authentic photographic experience compared to smartphones, making them a unique niche in the evolving landscape of photography.
- Chris George, an accomplished writer in the fields of photography and technology, has over 30 years of experience and has edited numerous magazines, including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, and Professional Photography.
- Despite the increasing value of point-and-shoot cameras, they continue to offer benefits such as controlled zoom, optical image stabilization, addressable storage space, and a more unprocessed output compared to smartphones.
