Canon Revives 2016 Point-and-Shoot Camera With Fewer Features & Higher Price
▼ Summary
– Canon is rereleasing the PowerShot Elph 360 HS A, a mid-2010s point-and-shoot camera, in response to the TikTok digicam resurgence and celebrity endorsements.
– The 2025 model retains the same 20.2-megapixel sensor, 12x optical zoom, 1080p video, and USB Mini port as the original 2016 version but now costs $379 instead of $210.
– It switches to microSD cards instead of full-size SD and removes Wi-Fi transfer and direct printing capabilities, along with discontinuing the purple color option.
– The price increase and feature reduction are driven by viral interest fueled by younger users and celebrities, with the original model still occasionally available at marked-up prices.
– The author questions whether the camera’s appeal will persist if it becomes widely available, as its current allure partly stems from being a hard-to-get item for online clout.
Canon is tapping into the current nostalgia-driven demand for retro digital cameras with the rerelease of its PowerShot Elph 360 HS A, a refreshed version of its 2016 point-and-shoot model. This relaunch arrives amid a surge in popularity for older digital cameras, fueled in part by social media trends and celebrity endorsements. While the core specifications remain largely unchanged, the new model introduces a few notable alterations, and a significantly higher price tag.
The updated PowerShot Elph 360 HS A retains the 20.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, Digic IV Plus processor, and 12x optical zoom that characterized the original. It still records video in 1080p and connects via an outdated USB Mini port rather than modern USB-C. One practical change involves the storage format: the new version uses microSD cards instead of standard SD cards. More surprisingly, several features have been removed. The camera no longer supports Wi-Fi transfers or direct wireless printing, and the previously available purple color option has been discontinued. Buyers can now choose only between black or silver.
Perhaps the most striking update is the price. Originally launched at $210, the new Elph 360 HS A will retail for $379, a substantial increase for a device with fewer capabilities. This pricing strategy appears to be a response to heightened demand, driven by viral moments and celebrity use. The original model, though technically still in production until now, has become increasingly difficult to find at reasonable prices. Retailers like B&H Photo have listed it near the $360 mark, with inventory selling out almost immediately upon restock.
The revival of such a model raises questions about the longevity of the “digicam” trend. While it’s encouraging to see renewed interest in accessible photography tools, the commercial repackaging of an older product, with a higher cost and reduced functionality, may test the limits of consumer enthusiasm. If availability increases and the “hunt” for the camera diminishes, its perceived cultural value could decline as well.
It’s worth noting that Canon has historically used different names for this camera in various markets. Known as the Ixus 285 HS in Europe and the Ixy 650 in Japan, the Elph line is part of a broader naming tradition that includes regional variations like the EOS Rebel series in the US and the Kiss series in Japan.
(Source: The Verge)