FB -
XA-series, in brief:
XA (original) rangefinder focus, aperture preferred exposures (you set
aperture, camera varies speed)
XA-2 - zone focus, programmed shutter, user-set ASA
XA-3 - similar to XA-2, but w/DX (camera takes film speed off the
cassette)
XA-4 - similar to XA-3, but with macro-focusing lens (original strap was
used to measure close- and closer-focus distance)
XA-1 - fixed focus, selinium cell meter (no battery), 2 ASA settings
(100,400)
In the later models, the original Stylus (when programmed properly) is a
gem, for a non-zoom (my mom loves hers!). It's a small as an XA, but
with the flash built in. IMO, anything that says "Epic" works by
accident rather than design.
Of the recent zooms, the Stylus Zoom (35-70), and Stylus Zoom 105 get my
grudging "OK". The longer zooms, with multiple barrels nested inside
one another, get progressively susceptible to impact damage.
Franklin Berryman wrote:
>
> I am interested in acquiring a very compact Olympus point'n'shoot for my
> wife. I do not want one of the older 35RC, 35RD, 35SP, etc. for her,
> although one of the XA series might be an option. I don't know much about
> the XA series, although I have heard good things about the optics. The
> problem I see with them is that you have to set the focus range to near,
> medium and far. Is there a fixed focus XA? In the alternative, what other
> model would you suggest. Zoom is not really an important factor. Thanks in
> advance
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