XL means eXtra Large. Built like a tank, weighs like a tank (well, a not-so-small SLR), great picture quality for a zoom lens (for a prime even).
Canon SureShot Zoom XL
Nikon AF3
Out of all the point and shoots I’ve used (Konica Big Mini, Yashica T2, various Olympus from Trip to AF10 via XA-2, Ricoh GR 1v and s, Fuji Klasse W) this is one of my favourites.
Konica Big Mini HG
Super small, super light, and the pictures… lovely colour, lovely definition, lovely feel. I really like some of the pics I’ve got out of it, especially the pic of Mrs P. in the gallery below.
Compact film camera comparison
Somewhere out there is the perfect compact film camera. Pocketable; solid; a beautiful wide lens; the features you need to hand, the ones you don’t not getting in the way.
Olympus XA2
Solid, beautifully designed and super-small. The clamshell is a thing of beauty; slide back the cover and you are good to go. Close it and the camera is off and the lens protected. And it is such a pleasing shape and texture.
