News flash! Disposable cameras are back

THEY seemed doomed to disappear with the rising popularity of smartphones.

But disposable cameras are making a comeback as Millennials and Gen Z stock up to use them at weddings and birthday parties.

Fujifilm, one of the biggest cameramakers in the world, has said that it is ‘struggling to keep up’ with demand for its disposable products – despite the fact that most people carry professional-level cameras in their smartphones.

The 89-year-old Japanese company claimed it has also seen instant Instax cameras – its version of Polaroids – fly off the shelves.

Fujifilm said the rise was down to young people wanting a more ‘authentic’ photography experience. A spokesman said: ‘We see a real desire for more authentic ways of photo-taking and photo-making – particularly among Millennial and Gen Z audiences.

‘Demand for photo-printing is also up, as more people seek nostalgia in old photos.

‘Photography and printing are in a healthy state – and in a digital world where we view everything on a screen, the power of a print in your hands should not be forgotten.’ The company also said more young people are taking disposable cameras on holiday with them.

It claimed this could be down to a pushback against the heavily filtered worlds of Instagram and Facebook where people aim to get the ‘perfect’ image.

Although photo-printing used to be a mainstay of most high streets, far fewer shops now offer the service. The average disposable camera can take around 30 images and the cost of getting the film developed is between £10 and £20.

Although Fujifilm did not reveal how many disposable cameras it has sold in the past year, it said its total photo business has seen turnover rise by almost a quarter.

It reported selling 7.5 million disposable cameras in 2016-17, compared with 3.9 million in 2014-15.