I've owned both cameras and I have a real soft spot for the XA. The Epic probably has a better lens, but you can't beat the aperture control and the overall feel of using the XA.
I'm not sure if others have had similar problems as I have, but I purchased 2 XA's last summer and both the film winders snapped off within 3 months. It was stupid of me to try to wind the film even though there was obvious resistance... I tried to save the photos but most of them ended up getting ruined anyways.
I'm not sure if others have had similar problems as I have, but I purchased 2 XA's last summer and both the film winders snapped off within 3 months. It was stupid of me to try to wind the film even though there was obvious resistance... I tried to save the photos but most of them ended up getting ruined anyways.
I paid $70 a piece too
Best of luck!
Someone on APUG is selling one if you want. Look on the classified section.
I loved my XA2 but alas it died a sudden death. Well not really dead, just wouldn't get off the self timer mode. A real hassle to say the least. I took the entire camera apart to see if I could fix it and found out two things; 1. the XA2 is a very well built camera, 2. I couldn't fix it. So it went into the trash all in pieces. Naturally I said a few words over the trash can in loving memory.
__________________
Everyone gets everything he wants. I wanted a mission, and for my sins
they gave me one. Brought it up to me like room service. - Willard
If the price is right, I say go for it. I've owned both (and managed to break both), and I have to say the XA's weak point is the rangefinder spot - it's very small, and ends up being dim-to-very-dim when not in bright light (eg, indoors), which makes focusing challenging. However, aperture priority can be a very handy thing, the meter is usually quite accurate, and it has a handy +1.5 EV "backlight" switch. So, it really depends what kind of photography you'll be using it for.
(Incidentally, I broke both a Stylus Epic and an XA on a vacation last year - still not sure how, as both were in my carry-on, but both ended up DOA...)
Same here after 25+ years. Both my original XA and the A16 flash continue to work flawlessly. Although I did once several years ago have to open up the flash unit and pinpoint solder a small wire back into place. I relooped that wire such that it will never fatigue and break again.
Other than that, perfection. Both pieces still even look brand new. As does the original case and uncreased owner's manual. What a sweet little gem of a camera.
Definately go for the XA (any of them). The Stylus was designed with a completely different philosophy. It is a snapshot camera intended for the real amateur. It uses extremely high shutter speeds and the aperture is wide open with 100 speed film and even a light overcast. It wants to use the flash even in daylight. The exposure with the flash is dead on, though. Mine also overexposes by about 1/3 stop, adding to the open aperture to make the photos look even softer. It is obviously intended for shooting people, not landscapes or scenics.
The photos from the XA (XA2, in my case) are razor sharp with wonderful contrast and color. It's shutter is practically silent, with no vibration. I've easily hand held it down to 1/8 sec.
Olympus XA if I already have a Stylus Epic? 
Linear Mode
