QUESTION

What is the best digital camera from the 2000s to buy now?

12 upvotes0 downvotes

Asked May 29, 2026Last updated June 8, 2026

Answer81% confidence

Best overall 2000s digital camera to buy now: Canon PowerShot SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70. It’s the safest pick if you want the popular 2000s digicam look without dealing with a bulky or highly collectible camera. It is small, easy to carry, widely discussed by current digicam fans, and gives the direct-flash, compact-camera feel most people are chasing.

If you want something more interesting than the default pick, consider the Nikon Coolpix 995 for quirky early-digital character, the Leica D-Lux 2 for a more premium compact feel, or the Epson R-D1 only if you specifically want a collectible digital rangefinder.

Before buying any 2000s digital camera, check that it includes a working battery, charger, memory card compatibility, and that the lens extends/retracts normally. Condition matters more than tiny spec differences now.

Our pick

Canon PowerShot SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70

Best for most y2k digicam buyers

Maars picked this for most people who want the 2000s digicam look: it is small, simple, and fits the current compact-camera trend well.

Search on eBay

At a glance

Compared picks

Swipe to compare

	Canon SD1000	Nikon Coolpix 995	Leica D-Lux 2	Epson R-D1
Best use	Everyday Y2K pocket-camera photos	Quirky early-digital shooting	Premium compact-camera feel	Collector digital rangefinder shooting
Portability	Very pocketable	Bulkier than a tiny compact	Compact, but more enthusiast-oriented	Not a casual pocket digicam
Main appeal	Easy, trendy, point-and-shoot look	Unusual swivel-body design and early-2000s character	More premium design and feel	Historically notable rangefinder experience
Buying risk	Check battery, charger, card, lens movement	Check swivel body, battery, charger, card, lens function	Check condition carefully; name may raise prices	Likely niche and condition-sensitive; buy carefully

Also compared

Search on eBay

Nikon Coolpix 995

Best for early-digital camera fans

Maars picked this for buyers who want something more distinctive: the split-body design gives it more personality than a basic compact.

Search on eBay

Leica D-Lux 2

Best for premium compact shoppers

Maars picked this for shoppers who want a more premium 2000s compact: it has more enthusiast appeal than a basic plastic point-and-shoot.

Search on eBay

Epson R-D1

Best for digital rangefinder collectors

Maars picked this for collectors and rangefinder fans: it is historically important and very different from a casual point-and-shoot.

Search on eBay

Alternatives

Buy this if you want a more unusual early-digital camera with distinctive ergonomics and character rather than the smallest pocket camera.
Nikon Coolpix 995
It is a serious early-2000s model and its split/swivel body makes it more interesting than a basic compact.
Buy this if you want a premium-feeling mid-2000s compact and are comfortable paying more for the Leica name and design.
Leica D-Lux 2
It appears in current lists of trendy digital cameras and has more enthusiast appeal than a basic point-and-shoot.
Buy this only if you want a collector-style digital rangefinder experience, not a casual Y2K pocket camera.
Epson R-D1
It was released in 2004 and is notable as the world’s first digital rangefinder camera.

What could change this answer

Availability and prices of 2000s digicams change quickly in the resale market.
The best choice depends on whether you want a compact flash look, quirky character, or a collectible camera.
Working condition, batteries, and card compatibility can matter more than the model itself.

Found this helpful?

More buying options

May include affiliate links

Search Amazon Search eBay

Our pick

Canon PowerShot SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70

Best for most y2k digicam buyers

Maars picked this for most people who want the 2000s digicam look: it is small, simple, and fits the current compact-camera trend well.

Search on eBay

At a glance

Compared picks

Swipe to compare

	Canon SD1000	Nikon Coolpix 995	Leica D-Lux 2	Epson R-D1
Best use	Everyday Y2K pocket-camera photos	Quirky early-digital shooting	Premium compact-camera feel	Collector digital rangefinder shooting
Portability	Very pocketable	Bulkier than a tiny compact	Compact, but more enthusiast-oriented	Not a casual pocket digicam
Main appeal	Easy, trendy, point-and-shoot look	Unusual swivel-body design and early-2000s character	More premium design and feel	Historically notable rangefinder experience
Buying risk	Check battery, charger, card, lens movement	Check swivel body, battery, charger, card, lens function	Check condition carefully; name may raise prices	Likely niche and condition-sensitive; buy carefully

Also compared

Search on eBay

Nikon Coolpix 995

Best for early-digital camera fans

Maars picked this for buyers who want something more distinctive: the split-body design gives it more personality than a basic compact.

Search on eBay

Leica D-Lux 2

Best for premium compact shoppers

Maars picked this for shoppers who want a more premium 2000s compact: it has more enthusiast appeal than a basic plastic point-and-shoot.

Search on eBay

Epson R-D1

Best for digital rangefinder collectors

Maars picked this for collectors and rangefinder fans: it is historically important and very different from a casual point-and-shoot.

Search on eBay

Alternatives

Buy this if you want a more unusual early-digital camera with distinctive ergonomics and character rather than the smallest pocket camera.
Nikon Coolpix 995
It is a serious early-2000s model and its split/swivel body makes it more interesting than a basic compact.
Buy this if you want a premium-feeling mid-2000s compact and are comfortable paying more for the Leica name and design.
Leica D-Lux 2
It appears in current lists of trendy digital cameras and has more enthusiast appeal than a basic point-and-shoot.
Buy this only if you want a collector-style digital rangefinder experience, not a casual Y2K pocket camera.
Epson R-D1
It was released in 2004 and is notable as the world’s first digital rangefinder camera.

What could change this answer

Availability and prices of 2000s digicams change quickly in the resale market.
The best choice depends on whether you want a compact flash look, quirky character, or a collectible camera.
Working condition, batteries, and card compatibility can matter more than the model itself.

Found this helpful?

More buying options

May include affiliate links

Search Amazon Search eBay

What is the best digital camera from the 2000s to buy now?

Canon PowerShot SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70

Compared picks

Nikon Coolpix 995

Leica D-Lux 2

Epson R-D1

What could change this answer

Canon PowerShot SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70

Compared picks

Nikon Coolpix 995

Leica D-Lux 2

Epson R-D1

Alternatives

What could change this answer

Tags

Canon PowerShot SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70

Compared picks

Nikon Coolpix 995

Leica D-Lux 2

Epson R-D1

What could change this answer

Canon PowerShot SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70

Compared picks

Nikon Coolpix 995

Leica D-Lux 2

Epson R-D1

Alternatives

What could change this answer

Tags

Canon PowerShot SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70

Compared picks

Nikon Coolpix 995

Leica D-Lux 2

Epson R-D1

What could change this answer

Canon PowerShot SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70

Compared picks

Nikon Coolpix 995

Leica D-Lux 2

Epson R-D1

Alternatives

What could change this answer

Canon PowerShot SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70

Compared picks

Nikon Coolpix 995

Leica D-Lux 2

Epson R-D1

What could change this answer

Canon PowerShot SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70

Compared picks

Nikon Coolpix 995

Leica D-Lux 2

Epson R-D1

Alternatives

What could change this answer

Ask Maars another question

Related questions

Tags

Ask Maars another question

Related questions