The OlympusOlympus introduced its first camera in 1936, the Semi-Olympus I, fitted with the first Zuiko-branded lens. The first innovative camera series from Olympus was the Pen, launched in 1959. The half-frame format, allowing 72 pictures of 18 × 24 mm format on a standard 36-exposure roll of film, made Pen cameras compact and portable for their time. Pixel More XA series of cameras were an innovative range of very compact cameras in clam-shell cases. They were designed for Olympus by Maitani Yoshihisa^[1]. The XA series was largely replaced by the Stylus/mju series in 1991, but continue to have a cult following today.

Models

XA

The XA, introduced in 1979 was the benchmark of the series containing a true rangefinder focusing mechanism and an aperture priority exposureThe amount of light that reaches the film (or camera sensor). It determines how light or dark an image is. The exposure of an image is determined by the aperture, shutter speed, and film speed (ISO). During exposure, the sensors or chemicals on the film in analogue models, are subjected to the light outside the camera for a certain time. More system within its tiny case. It has a six-element Zuiko 35mm f:2.8 lens, a CdS exposureThe amount of light that reaches the film (or camera sensor). It determines how light or dark an image is. The exposure of an image is determined by the aperture, shutter speed, and film speed (ISO). During exposure, the sensors or chemicals on the film in analogue models, are subjected to the light outside the camera for a certain time. More meter and a shutterEither mechanical and/or electronic shutters are possible. Mechanical systems can use a leaf (or iris) shutter or curtain shutter. In digital cameras a third alternative is also possible: the electronic shutter. This works by activating and then deactivating the CCD so that no further light can be recorded, regardless of whether light is hitting the CCD. The shutter controls the exposure time, which can range from thousandths of a second to several minutes or more. Fast shutter speeds freeze action, slow speeds are more suited to stationary subjects. A tripod is recommended for slow exposure shots to avoid camera shake, or IBIS. More to 1/500. The apertureThe aperture is basically a hole in the camera’s lens that lets light pass through it to the shutter and ultimately the film or censor. The aperture not only influences picture brightness but also regulates depth of focus. Most cameras are equipped with an iris aperture that can be freely adjusted or set according to pre-selected values. More is changed with a small lever. It is also possible to compensate the exposureThe amount of light that reaches the film (or camera sensor). It determines how light or dark an image is. The exposure of an image is determined by the aperture, shutter speed, and film speed (ISO). During exposure, the sensors or chemicals on the film in analogue models, are subjected to the light outside the camera for a certain time. More by two ways: a lever at the bottom plate of the camera ensures a + 1.5 EV back light ; the ISOInternational Organization for Standardization represents the film’s (or sensors) sensitivity to the light. The higher the number, the more information will be captured. 400 ISO film is more sensitive to light than 200 ISO film by 1 stop. sensitivity lever, at the bottom of the lens, allows to change the value easily to under or to overexpose the frame. A self-timer is also available. Accurate focusing in a pocketable design, combined with convenient autoexposure, made this a very successful model.

XA 2

The XA2, introduced in 1980, was a simplified version of the XA with zone focusing and a programmed exposureThe amount of light that reaches the film (or camera sensor). It determines how light or dark an image is. The exposure of an image is determined by the aperture, shutter speed, and film speed (ISO). During exposure, the sensors or chemicals on the film in analogue models, are subjected to the light outside the camera for a certain time. More system. Its Zuiko 35mm f/3.5 lens had four elements in four groups. The exposureThe amount of light that reaches the film (or camera sensor). It determines how light or dark an image is. The exposure of an image is determined by the aperture, shutter speed, and film speed (ISO). During exposure, the sensors or chemicals on the film in analogue models, are subjected to the light outside the camera for a certain time. More meter was a CdS exposureThe amount of light that reaches the film (or camera sensor). It determines how light or dark an image is. The exposure of an image is determined by the aperture, shutter speed, and film speed (ISO). During exposure, the sensors or chemicals on the film in analogue models, are subjected to the light outside the camera for a certain time. More sensor above the lens. Shutter speedThe time a camera sensor or film is exposed to light when taking a photo. More range was 2 secs. to 1/750. The minimum focusing distance was 3 feet or .9 meters. Its film speed range was ASA 25 -800. Limited supplies in white, red and blue were also produced.

XA1

The XA1, introduced in 1982, was the cheapest and simplest of the series. It has a fixed-focus, four-element 35mm f:4 lens, a shutterEither mechanical and/or electronic shutters are possible. Mechanical systems can use a leaf (or iris) shutter or curtain shutter. In digital cameras a third alternative is also possible: the electronic shutter. This works by activating and then deactivating the CCD so that no further light can be recorded, regardless of whether light is hitting the CCD. The shutter controls the exposure time, which can range from thousandths of a second to several minutes or more. Fast shutter speeds freeze action, slow speeds are more suited to stationary subjects. A tripod is recommended for slow exposure shots to avoid camera shake, or IBIS. More from 1/30 to 1/250 and a programmed exposureThe amount of light that reaches the film (or camera sensor). It determines how light or dark an image is. The exposure of an image is determined by the aperture, shutter speed, and film speed (ISO). During exposure, the sensors or chemicals on the film in analogue models, are subjected to the light outside the camera for a certain time. More driven by a selenium meter. The only film speed settings were 100 and 400 ISO.

XA 3

The XA3, from 1985, was basically an XA2 with DX film coding and manual ASA settings up to 1600 ASA. It also had the "backlight compensation" feature from the original XA, a feature lacking in the XA2. Like the XA4, it had easy film loading, requiring no threading on the take-up spool. A limited edition in red was also produced.

XA 4

The XA4, from 1985, was much like the XA3, but with a wide-angle, 5-element Zuiko 28mm f/:3.5 lens. This could focus all the way down to a very close 0.3m, with the help of a plastic distance-measuring index attached to the wrist strap.

Accessories

Four different types of flash units were offered to use with the various XA models. All must be screwed to the left hand side of the body, and are very compact units. All auto flash models have settings for 100 or 400 ISOInternational Organization for Standardization represents the film’s (or sensors) sensitivity to the light. The higher the number, the more information will be captured. 400 ISO film is more sensitive to light than 200 ISO film by 1 stop. films.

• A9M, a purely manual flash. Uses one AA battery.
• A11, an auto flash with settings for ASA 100 and ASA 400. Uses one AA battery. A11 User's Manual Courtesy: acolla
• A16, a more powerful auto flash than the A11. Has settings for ASA 100 and ASA 400. Uses two AA batteries.
• A1L, lithium batteries not replaceable by the user without dismantling the flash.

A macro attachment was available for the A-11 and A-1L to use with the XA-4 at close focusing range.

Cases were sold for both the body only, and for the body with a flash attached.

Photos

Compare

Notes

Links

• The definitive XA site (includes manuals)
• Matt Denton's XA and XA2 pages
• Karen Nakamura's overview
• The Other Martin Taylor's overview
• Dante Stella's overview
• Chris Lee's history of the XA detailed in the XA Way (archived)
• XA, XA2, XA1, XA3 in the OlympusOlympus introduced its first camera in 1936, the Semi-Olympus I, fitted with the first Zuiko-branded lens. The first innovative camera series from Olympus was the Pen, launched in 1959. The half-frame format, allowing 72 pictures of 18 × 24 mm format on a standard 36-exposure roll of film, made Pen cameras compact and portable for their time. Pixel More Global History (archived).
  
• Maitani Yoshihisa and the cult of Olympus at Classic Cameras by RaúlM.
• Photos taken with the XA by the other Martin Taylor
• Random XA photos at pbase.com
• User manuals at Butkus.org :
  • XA
  • XA1
  • XA2 and XA3
  • XA4

In French:

• XA, XA2 on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
• Lionel's OlympusOlympus introduced its first camera in 1936, the Semi-Olympus I, fitted with the first Zuiko-branded lens. The first innovative camera series from Olympus was the Pen, launched in 1959. The half-frame format, allowing 72 pictures of 18 × 24 mm format on a standard 36-exposure roll of film, made Pen cameras compact and portable for their time. Pixel More XA, XA-1, XA-2, XA-3, XA-4 pages at 35mm-compact.com
• XA and XA2 in G. Even's collection.

In Japanese:

• Olympus XA page at K.Fukushi's Rangefinder website
• Olympus XA2 at Puppy's Island (archived)