Olympus XA2

• Released 1980
• Seller @qualitecamera
• Made in Tokyo, Japan
• 35mm Point & Shoot 
• Vintage Refurbished
• Film Tested & Fully Functional 
• Film and battery included 
• Camera may not be exact unit pictured
• Refer to the return policy page for questions regarding returns

The Olympus XA2, released in 1980, was a simplified version of the original Olympus XA, designed for ease of use while maintaining high image quality. Featuring zone focusing, a programmed auto-exposure system, and a compact clamshell design, it became a popular choice for casual and street photographers. The XA2 was part of Olympus’ push to make high-quality 35mm photography more accessible to the general public.

In 1980, the world was experiencing major political and cultural shifts. The U.S. was in the midst of the Iran hostage crisis, which heavily influenced the presidential election that saw Ronald Reagan defeat Jimmy Carter. The Cold War was intensifying with the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, leading to the U.S. boycotting the Moscow Summer Olympics. Meanwhile, cultural milestones included the rise of post-punk and new wave music, the release of The Empire Strikes Back, and the launch of CNN, the first 24-hour news channel. In technology, Sony introduced the Walkman to a global audience, revolutionizing personal audio. Against this backdrop, the Olympus XA2 emerged as a sleek, modern camera for a world rapidly embracing new forms of media and communication.