Olympus XA2

[Harlee]

I just bid and won an XA2. While I've had two or three XA's, and they all served me well, this is the first XA2 I've ever owned. What can I expect from it? While the XA uses an AP exposure system, I'm not sure what system the XA2 uses. Is it complete programed? Does it have a fixed
F-stop setting and varible shutter speeds, or varible F-stops as well? I've checked it out on Google, but I didn't find any of that information, except to say it has a sharp lens, perhaps sharper than the XA. I would have preferred the XA, but the prices are just too high.

 

[btgc]

AFAIK aperture changes, as well as speeds.
Recently I started to consider idea of letting it go - because of sensor release button. Can't get used to it.

And while clamshell is good for lens protection, one has to choose between speed of operation and battery life. Automatic cameras, activating metering during shutter release, work better for me - C35 [EF3], Electro 35 MC (to mention similar cameras).
MC has aperture control, thus making it my favorite over XA2.

Lens is really nice, though. Size is beneficial for carry-everywhere camera.

 

[mh2000]

yup, zone focusing and program exposure. Honestly, zone focusing works perfectly fine for most people with a slower 35mm lens... and with a slow top shutter speed, you would generally choose what the program chooses... so enjoy the camera!

 

[shadowfox]

One of the best point, guesstimate the distance, and shoot -camera 😀

The vignetting is awesome 😉

 

[Stanton]

I have several along with XAs, XA3 and XA4. A couple of them came free. Anyway, I find that I use them more than the other XA models. Both the program exposure and the zone focusing are more than adequately accurate. Dave

 

[lawnpotter]

I liked mine but

I liked mine but

now it is broken. the shutter will stay open for a few seconds regardless of the shooting situation. I dont know if it is fixable.

 

[kuzano]

One of the best sites I've seen for Oly X series

One of the best sites I've seen for Oly X series

Concise and informative:

http://www.diaxa.com/xa/xastart.htm

I actually use the XA2 more than my XA.. Zone focus.

The XA2 however tends to vignette pics a bit. I actually prefer that. Vignetting holds the eye into the picture. If it was not a desired effect, why would they put a vignette tool in Adobe Photoshop.

 

[sleepyhead]

You can expect a camera with a quite sharp lens and quite accurate fully automatic exposure. I've used the XA, XA2 and XA4 in the past, but have only kept the XA2 in the end. Its lens is sharper than the XAs, and its top shutter speed is 1/750th in contrast to the XAs 1/500th. (The XA4 was great, but 28mm wasn't my thing...)

I use the XA2 alongside my Contax T, the T having fast (800 ASA) B&W film, and the XA2 with fast (800 ASA) colour film.

The XA2 does vignette wide open, but I don't mind it either.

Here's a shot from the XA2:

 

[sweathog]

The XA2 is a lovely thing.
Without a flash it is a lovely camera that is a capable P&S that does well in low light.
With a flash it is an incredibly versatily carry everywhere camera.