Discover the history of the Nikon COOLPIX S1100pj, a compact digital camera with a built-in projector that reflected Nikon’s bold vision for sharing photos before smartphones changed photography.

Explore the history of compact digital cameras, from the first consumer models of the 1990s to their golden age, the rise of smartphones, and why older compact cameras are attracting attention again today.

Before compact digital cameras, everyday photography relied on film. From rangefinders and SLRs to autofocus point-and-shoot cameras, this article explores how cameras gradually became smaller, easier to use, and more automatic—and how those developments ultimately led to the rise of the compact digital camera.