the BEST journal 35mm camera | Olympus XA REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

I've been carrying my Olympus XA around to make notes with it and to document everyday life. It checks off just about every box for me when it comes to a daily carry film camera. Let's talk about it.
Kodak Gold 200: amzn.to/3bieTqy
Kodak Ultramax 400: amzn.to/2WK8Kzk
MERCH: mattdayphoto.com
INSTAGRAM: / mattdayphoto
TWITTER: / mattdayphoto

[@AnalogInsights]

OMG. Thank you so much for the shout-out, Matt. I really, really appreciate it! You are one of the reasons why I started my channel back then. Seeing you recommend our video and channel Analog Insights means quite a bit to me. Thanks and stay healthy!

[@taylornoel]

You and Matt have both been inspirational for me as well! Hope you’re keeping safe out there.

[@PhilKnall]

Cool to see this shout out, you guys have been doing amazing work on your channel!

[@FunLovinB]

My two favorite photography channels, always practical and objective advice.

[@yavuzyilmaz_01]

It’s good seeing both of my fav channels are also enjoying each other’s content ☺️☺️☺️

[@CertifiedZeldafan]

I love your videos as well! Great work.

[@casellsjr89]

“Sharpness is a bourgeois concept” - Henri Cartier-Bresson

[@MarsKvaratskhelia]

😂 exactly he has been here in Soviet Tbilisi taking pictures

[@KyleMcDougall]

Such a cool little camera, and I love the idea of having it as a ‘journal’ in your pocket. Inspired me to pick one of these up dude! 🙌

[@elizachin6934]

This video was just so lovely and warm for the heart - the generousity of the community, the fact this camera has such a history of generousity, Matt’s generousity in acknowledgments - and of course, that comparison to a pocket notebook. Thanks for those ten minutes.

[@meirellestb]

I feel like I'm quarentening with Matt Day, like I'm constantly hearing his voice at home! Cheers Matt!

[@ishaansinghmehta]

love how you manage to separate what's going on in the world from your content, matt. that's something we all need. normalcy. as always, great video! i'd love to own that bad boy!

[@ChampionDynamic]

Thanks for sharing this video in the midst of these crazy circumstances! It’s comforting to still have these videos about a medium we all love.

[@peterplanta246]

My mom used to have one of these too. Thanks so much, Matt. I love all that you do for the analog photography community.

[@estebang5741]

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you aren't close enough" -Robert Capa

[@ianjanoska4397]

I love my XA2 that my dad gave to me, sick little camera. I do like how the XA has the manual focus as opposed to the zone focus system the XA2 has. Sick video Matt!

[@danieldijo]

Yeah they got it right first time

[@kevbarreto]

Super cool that everyone in the community came together to give the camera forward with the flash and all. Awesome to see, awesome video.

[@jaemie717]

I love how insightful your channel is without making someone who is a beginner like myself, feel inadequate about their knowledge. Thank you!

[@deecalason]

I would say this is the perfect little “document your life” camera!!

[@niallmurphy9376]

my dad bought this camera, maby forty years ago. And i am holding it now. and i am pretty sure it still works. this is gonna be a freaking blast to learn how to work.

[@danieldijo]

gang

[@earlymusicmaker]

Great to see this little gem having its day. Thanks a ton for offering this out to the community!

[@notmakswell]

Hell yeah, I got into photography sophomore year and actually started with film, and you, Willem Verbeeck, and NegativeFeedback were the ones who made me want to continue, to be patient with myself, and to learn more and more about the subject! I know it's only been a year, but I feel like I've come so far. I'm glad to see you giving back to the community, you deserve everything you've got!

[@peskymacaw9033]

The XA also appears in FLCL, it was one of Mamimi's cameras (the other was an Olympus OM-2)

[@MrKelsomatic]

Whoa, never noticed that. Looks like it's definitely modeled on the XA2.

[@TheKetchupPacket]

FLCL ! now I definitely need an XA

[@kramkram07]

The XA is the field notes of cameras. My take away, and now I need one.

[@danieldijo]

haha, it can be more than that

[@tiffdtate]

I’ve heard great things about the XA and I think it’s awesome that all of you wanted to let us experience it’s use. It’s just another example why I love the photography community. Thanks 🤓

[@stephanievargas3047]

Thank you for addressing the issue! I think we all appreciate you for sticking to the content and helping us escape the chaos going on in the world ! I think especially now I find myself appreciating the pictures I captured before and I’m excited to see how we will come together afterwards !👍🏻

[@tjs0179]

“Sometimes I’ll start a sentence and I don’t even know where it’s going. I just hope I find it along the way” ~Michael Scott Love your content, and love your work. Cheers!

[@adriannacheung9198]

"The role of the artist is exactly the same role of the lover. If I love you, I have to make you conscious of things you don’t see." - James Baldwin

[@helloitsmeKP2]

He also said “To be sensual, I think, is to respect and rejoice in the force of life, of life itself, and to be present in all that one does, from the effort of loving to the breaking of bread”

[@saintvallen123]

I just finished my first roll of film today, and I'm sooo so excited to have it developed at some point! It won't be before I return to my home country when all things have settled, but that just makes it that much more fun! Thank you for all the encouraging videos Matt, really hope you and your family will go through this ordeal safely!

[@lomenzor]

I started getting into photography recently and had just bought a camera when this whole corona thing started going on, so I've been using this time locked in the house to learn as much as I can about film photography from your channel and others in the film photography community in youtube, so thanks for this amazing resource, Matt!

[@Mischa.b.c]

Thank's for the "its a normal day"-Moment what we all needed. Greetings from Germany and "bleib Gesund" (stay healthy)

[@bobselektor]

The most underrated camera ever. Too bad the price will skyrocket after this video.

[@81springbrook96]

maybe not, because there are SO many still out there

[@Obgavin10]

The price is already pretty high, especially for the original XA model. I managed to get mine on Etsy for a little over $100 though. You just gotta do some digging

[@hmApollo101]

You can get the XA2 pretty easily at a good price. I got mine at a thrift shop for 2.99

[@LOZ8619]

@@hmApollo101 yes, but the xa2 does not have a rangefinder^^

[@Buecherwurm_8]

Yeah thanks I save long for it and probably soon will never be able to afford it because of this :/

[@johanmatto]

In for the Olympus! Thanks Matt (and those who came before you), incredible how that XA goes around. May it continue til it breaks!

[@JonKurtz]

I’ve been shooting my Pentax ME Super durning these stressful and bizarre times, looking forward to seeing the developed film when my local lab is back open. I’m so intrigued to see what I found inspiring while navigating this time of our life. Thanks for the wonderful review Matt. I’ve had the XA eyed for awhile. What a wonderful little wonder of camera engineering.

[@joshvrolyk]

A quote from the Analog Talk podcast episode with Taylar Stauss, “If it’s not a f*** yes, it’s a no, and if it’s a no, be honest about why” is one of my favorites. It’s my craft, it’s my hobby, so why would I do it if I don’t want to?

[@seanryan9838]

That camera reminds me of the 80’s at my grandmother’s house. Her pictures were crap, but she just took family snaps.

[@idreaminsurfgreen5327]

YES! I've been waiting for a good review on the XA and then you and Max both came through.

[@jshanni2066]

Excellent little review, Matt. I've tended to ignore the XA over the years. I probably shouldn't have, because I love the Oly Trip 35, and the XA offers far more control. Thanks for sharing in tough times.

[@Beakphoto]

The XA is really having its moment in the sun! Starting to understand why.

[@ianhh23]

Brian Kerrigan what do you mean?

[@randallstewart175]

@@ianhh23 Maybe what he means is that the XA may be the most over hyped camera on the market. When they stopped making it in 1985, the used price went from $50 to $175 - 225, driven by collectors mainly. After a couple of years, reason returned to the market, and prices for the XA collapsed back to around $50, where it stayed until the hyping process over the last four or five years. Anyone who pays $200 for an XA now and tries to use it as a primary film camera will hit its limitations like a brick wall. (No real exposure control; a lens designed to squeeze into the thin body rather than for optical performance - Oly never used that design again, nor has anyone else, it vignette like crazy and is not very sharp at any speed.And, the dim viewfinder makes the focusing almost pointless.). It's ergonomics are outstanding, which makes it the perfect vacation snaps camera and a field record shooter. Trying to make more of it than that is a total self-indulgence.

[@mohammadsuleman9065]

Rangefinder cameras always seemed intimidating to me, this one seems like a nice one to try rangefinders out and experiment with

[@crelaura]

I have to say - you have such a calming presence... Thank you for this video and I hope you and your family are healthy and happy

[@davidfriend5808]

Thanks for keeping some normalcy with your videos during these times! We need it now more than ever.

[@leicavirgin2088]

Just when I promised myself I'd take a break from buying cameras...

[@taylornoel]

leica virgin basically my reaction every time I get on the internet tbh

[@Ibibiogal]

@@taylornoel You're the reason I bought the Fuji Rensha Cardia! Now's I'm using it document my self-isolation so thanks for that!

[@SAGGING_GUT]

You are silly if you do not own this camera. It is simply unbeatable for size and it is incredibly affordable for 95% of people.

[@9000tastebuds]

“Doesn’t have to be anything specific, just leave a comment” -Matt

[@leavingleftgoinggone7528]

I’m so glad this camera is getting the credit it deserves. Seriously, the crispy pocket photos are insane. Even if you don’t end up winning the giveaway, it’s worth the cash.

[@kylieknight8847]

Loving your new setup Matt. The Olympus clamshell cameras are definitely lovely little pocket cameras to shoot with. Can't wait to see more videos and book reviews :D

[@mynameisjonas80]

I've had the XA saved in my eBay searches for years, but never actually pulled the trigger. Maybe now I won't have to? :)

[@Excalibr101]

"doesn't need to be anything specific" "I'll pin it so you know you won" Well great now I need to make sure it isn't anything dumb in case it gets pinned.

[@f.l.o.y.d_p.e.p.p.e.r]

One of the best cameras ever. Had it for years, inherited from my dad. Would be awesome to be able to shoot it again!! Thanks for this video!

[@scottsymes]

Solid review. I LOVED my old XA. Very sad day when it died. The final photo you showed from it which was a darkened restaurant window with some golden lights in it... such a classic XA photo to me. Instantly recognizable. Awesome deep color and heavy vignetting. 👍🏻

[@nathandewey1801]

I just got my xa for a great deal (at least by 2020 standards) and am so exited to shoot it for my upcoming trip.

[@danieldijo]

$5 ?

[@nathandewey1801]

@@danieldijo sadly not even close

[@danieldijo]

@@nathandewey1801 Damn, I got mine for that with flash and case.

[@nathandewey1801]

@@danieldijo man that’s great. I got mine for $130 with the flash and original box. At least if I happen to sell it I can make a profit.

[@danieldijo]

@@nathandewey1801 Yeah as long as you keep working condition we can always make a profit on these cameras. I shift a lot and get lucky! if you ever have one break let me know. Might find one for you

[@vermontmike9800]

The XA out-classes the “boutique” cameras (I.e. Contaxes, Leica Miniluxes, etc)

[@rf8221]

I don't know about that friend. The Minilux is reeaaal nice, like really nice. I will say that I don't take it out as much as I wouldn't want to treat it as my daily driver.

[@GregoryVeizades]

As someone who inherited both a Contax T and a T2, they are great but certainly not without their faults. The lenses are what you get a Contax for. Also the slimness and durability (of the shell.)

[@randallstewart175]

Who knows what comparison this person is using, but lens sharpness is not one of them. The lens on the XA is adequate for the "record keeping" of Matt or snap shooting, but huge fall off in contrast and sharpness away from the image center and what may be the most vignetting every allowed in a 35mm full frame camera puts the XA well out of the top tier of point-n-shoots. That said, it is prefect for what it was intended.

[@bfs5113]

Personally, I found it more a novelty camera. I was sold by its concept and design (but not the flash) at the beginning and I bought one when it was released. While I usually keep all my cameras, but the XA was one of the exceptions, that I sold it months after.

[@bongekang]

Photography is a way of feeling, touching and of loving. Thank you for the amazing videos Matt Day 👊

[@rizqiramadhan1619]

Thank you Matt for sharing this review. I used to avoid shooting with Point and Shoot Camera for the "focusing trust issues". Now, I start to consider buying/looking for one just in case I found something nice when I'm strolling around. Stay safe and healthy everyone

[@emfolkerts]

When the slide is closed it gives me slight Sega Genesis vibes.

[@J.ortegadesign]

"When you're drinking beer, the beer is getting drunk too"

[@ralphbrandi]

Love my XA. Been wanting one for years, finally found one at World of Photography in Columbus on a visit last summer. You nailed the draw of the camera, the lack of friction. It's soooooo easy to just keep in my backpack and always have with me. Definitely took over as my go-to 35mm camera from the Canonet G-III QL17 I was using for everything 35mm before (although that's still a fun camera too).

[@domste]

What an hidden gem of a camera, I never thought that under that small plastic shell there would be that level of control! I enjoy shooting my old trip35 because I can rely on manual focus (even if zone) but the aperture control on the XA puts it in a nice spot in between fully-manual cameras and point and shoot ones

[@carolinaclaudino1097]

“In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” - Alfred Stieglitz

[@danieldijo]

wow

[@okayleb1]

Hey Matt, thanks for this review and for all the quality content you've been producing! Love you and William Verbeeck's channel! keep it up!

[@colliefleur]

Ok I am in love with this camera after watching this review! Compact, manual control, amazing images, love the idea of the journal camera! Need this in my life!

[@veacalpotura6346]

Hope you and your family are safe! Enjoying your content especially these trying times. More power!

[@doran_erickson]

Thanks for the quality content. I've been eyeing the XA for a while and I may have to get one now!

[@thisisallthingsanywhere]

Your videos are inspiring brudda. Super practical and always based on real life usage, which I think is helpful when you cant shoot in a studio or with models everyday! Inspired me to start making my own videos so thanks for taking the time to give us meaningful content!

[@dannywar101]

Great video matt. Every camera that you recommended that i have tried has been amazing. Thank you and and keep up the great work.

[@ignacioarayaramirez2726]

Hey Matt! Many thanks for making quarantine a little bit easier to deal with it. Keep shooting and posting videos 🤘🏾

[@ZCPproductions8]

Been interested in this camera for a while! Thanks for always giving a thorough review.

[@antoniodalessandro2958]

Hey Matt, really thank u for making awesome videos like this. Your channel is truly helping me dealing with the quarantine

[@williegates0]

Thanks Matt, you've literally are the OG of the film youtube community!!

[@TheHaaariz]

Great review, been researching this camera for a while. now I have a credible source making me love the camera and photography in general even more.

[@bowieknife]

Thanks for doing these photography reviews during the outbreak. Hope you stay safe and well.

[@SuperJimic]

Great video Matt. Looking to get one of these for a short while now. A new to venture into analog film for the nice weather coming and documenting the summer with my baby daughter.

[@tylerstenvall839]

The XA seems like such a sick camera. Would love to try one out some day. Keep up the videos Matt, need as many film photography videos as possible to binge on whilst this whole thing is going on!

[@aaronsweeney9253]

Glad you’re still gonna be making videos. Much love

[@donding6]

Absolutely love you, AI, Sean Tucker and Willem’s videos. It inspired me to pick up my AE-1 again.

[@grain2thegrave364]

I appreciate Matt’s channel and insight so damn much! Matt, thanks.

[@alexguevara1859]

Got a chance to use an xa and xa2 once. Loved the feel. Never used it with the flash. Looking forward to seeing yours with the flash. Thanks for sharing the pics! Love the channel.

[@TonyWodarck]

Yessss keep making your content in these times. Hope you and your fam are staying safe and healthy. Great review as always!

[@cirdamih]

Nice review Matt. What a coincidence :) I picked up this camera after watching Analog Insights review. Love the camera. Shutter is definitely tricky and need to be get used to it.

[@hieuvo6963]

This is a very interesting point of view, using a hassle free camera that you can trust using to document/journal your everyday. You're inspiring me to try it out myself, thank you Matt.

[@petealcantara3111]

Great review. Never ever expected manual controls in a point and shoot. Thanks for sharing.

[@KristopherHooper]

Great review of a super cool little camera. I love these cameras that seem to be tools for inspiration as much as they are image capturing devices.

[@NoobPwnzor147]

I’ve been really interested in film photography recently and I’ve been wanting to pick up my own camera. I love the design of these older cameras, they seem to have a lot of love poured into them and just the whole process of film is so interesting. Great video as always!

[@olacrau]

I was surprised when saw the photos, that little camera it's a beast. I thought that it was just another point and shoot, but the fact that you can have control of the focous its amazing! Cheers from Portugal and Stay Safe everyone.

[@jbradfordphoto]

Haha, glad to see you're doing well and also cool to see ya mentioning Analog Insights. Those guys are unmatched when it comes to giving you ALL the info in their reviews, haha. The man does his research. I've been eyeballing an XA forever, just never have been able to justify one yet.

[@julianpacheco8503]

Love the video! And thank you for continuing to keep that sense of normalcy. I have loved watching your videos and leaning about film photography. I hope to get a film camera soon!

[@aaroncoping7483]

this is a great review- your reasoning for owning and carrying a point-and-shoot has definitely made me reconsider owning one. thank you!

[@dudeasmr5468]

Thank you for another insightful video. I hope you and your family stay safe during these crazy times.

[@Rodders27]

Appreciate you providing a sense of normality during these troubling times. The photos look great, and I agree totally about autofocus trust - seems like it can very so much camera to camera.

[@AntaresDnB]

They say the best camera is the one you have with you...With this little guy I can always have one of my favorite cameras with me at all times.

[@eligriggs9221]

Nice video rundown on the XA, a true classic that deserves to be set to go in the pockets of photographers, 24/7.

[@Jessemjohnston]

This is the perfect little camera to keep in a jacket pocket while riding a motorcycle. Thanks for the review

[@Wanderhirsch]

Thanks Matt for this review, I now know what I need to start my film photography journey - manual focus and aperture priority is my favourite way to shoot - I want to be in control

[@Dnicest1Around]

I’ve been watching the camera for some time now. Thanks for reviewing!

[@chrisnovakowski9827]

Hi Matt, great video! I'm just about to pick up an Olympus XA with A11 flash & thought I'd watch your video first. Here's hoping that the camera functions as well as it looks. Chris

[@malcolmsales8093]

Haven't given this one a try, but absolutely love some of the compact rangefinders that Olympus made (especially the Olympus 35 series!)

[@Kr4y0nS]

Can’t wait to get my hands on this camera. It’s quite difficult here in Australia at the moment. Love your work Matt!

[@noximera1778]

Document your life. Always. Thank you, Matt.

[@StefanWoudenberg]

Hope you and your family are doing well Matt, take care! The XA samples look amazing!

[@jayflexi]

I've been shopping around for a film point & shoot for a lot of time, and all the Olympus line cameras seem super nice!

[@batemanlewis5457]

My favorite quote as of late is one that I think applies to all art, "It's all too easy to be satisfied with glimmers of intuition, rather than sound, coherent reasoning," which was said by Andrey Tarkovsky the film director of Solaris. Coming up with your personal artistic expression takes time to cultivate. Sometimes I find myself jumping on an idea that excites me but ultimately leads nowhere. This quote always reminds me to be patient.

[@jordynalft]

Love the field notes reference!! Never thought of using my camera like a visual notebook.

[@helloitsmeKP2]

I'm personally a big fan of this journal style type of photography. It's always when I don't have my SLR that I see something that I want to photograph. I've had various other point and shoots/rangefinders but I haven't found the one yet. I've had my eye on the XA for a while now. It seems like a timeless camera. Very modern finish with the same amazing film look we all love and at the perfect pocket size.

[@olivervedast8153]

Thank you for helping us maintain a sense of normalcy Matt. Great insight as always

[@jonathanisraelfilms]

enjoy watching these videos during these times! love these kind of videos, keep it up & stay safe matt

[@stephaniecardenas4325]

Thanks for bringing some normalcy during this time. This camera is beautiful. Lovely pictures.