Olympus XA vs XA2

I've had three XAs, two XA2s and three or four Mju IIs. I currently have an XA and an XA2.

The Mju IIs seem to suffer the most with age and all of mine deteriorated, they are getting close to 'cult' status like that Yashica where hype supercedes results. I can't see any difference in my prints between a Mju, an XA or an XA2 or even the Yashica T4.

I think the XA2 is the better camera because it's cheaper. Maybe three times cheaper than the XA. The XA lens is faster but because of the poor rangefinder (all my samples have had very faded rangefinders) I don't think these are low light cameras. The XA lets you know the shutter speed which is good because with the XA2 you can often be down below 1/15 without knowing. That said, some of my nicest photos have been with inadvertent blur.

I've taken nearly all my photos this year on an XA2 - it's been a great companion.

macfred said:

Thank you, Jon - that's an interesting read and a some very nice photographs!

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Thank you macfred, I appreciate it.

Chan Tran said:

Poor man Leica M7? No wonder Leica discontinued it ans it's the only film Leica with aperture priority.

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XA made from 1979 to 1985. 6 years
Leica M7 made from 2002 to 2018. 12 years.

I'd like to point out another great thing about the XAs.

After fiddling with a Stylus 120 for a few days the XAs strength is more apparent. No lag. Nothing at all. When I push the shutter I want a photo taken, no thinking, pausing jerking or whirling. The XA series does just that. Press, click.

Huss said:

XA made from 1979 to 1985. 6 years
Leica M7 made from 2002 to 2018. 12 years.

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Leica realized that the M7 is just a rich man XA that's why they stopped making it.

Chan Tran said:

Leica realized that the M7 is just a rich man XA that's why they stopped making it.

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To support electronics for more than 10 years is much more difficult than support for mechanical parts. Try to find electronic parts for M5, or for XA - even if you find a person who can repair it. M-A is the best businesses case that Leica did in a long time.

perkeleellinen said:

...
The XA lens is faster but because of the poor rangefinder (all my samples have had very faded rangefinders) ...

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I've heard this complaint before and know someone personally whose camera had that problem. At a camera show I got lucky: the XA I found had a rangefinder that was distinct in showing when an object was in focus as compared to out of focus. The patch border itself was indistinct, but it was very easy to use.

As the years go by and by my little XA becomes even more sentimental in value, and a treat to use. Even with my wonky right eye I am still able to focus it, enjoying tugging at the forelocks of a nostalgic time in April 1982 when I saved my money to buy my very first XA. Over the decades I have owned 5 of these little gems: big and expensive SLRs by the marques came and went (some, like Canon, stayed...) but the XA was a constant companion on both bicycle touring trips and longer, ambitious roadies in the car. It is still used for both purposes.

Olympus addressed the desires of the market at the time releasing two versions; one for enthusiasts with adjustable aperture and the other for point-and-shooters with zone focus. For me, it was always about having control of the Av and I have never shifted from that choice. It is pointless to debate differences in design (the biggest furphy being differences in the lens) because people wanted choice and they got that. No great mystery why the XAs were big sellers for their time and are still sought after.