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).
I like the feel of this camera. It is really, really solid with a nice, big grip. It sits nicely in the hand and has well-thought-out controls, including a convenient button on the front to set focus to infinity (look and learn most other compacts). And you get a free toy; a remote stored in the bottom of the camera. And a nice big finder.
What I like most is the quality of the pictures. Most point and shoot zoom lenses are pretty ropey. A low cost, compact, high-zoom lens is always going to be optically compromised.
Not on this camera though. It’s great. (It’s f3.6 at it’s widest – that’s a compromise you are always going to have to make with a zoom.)
Back in the day it probably cost more than your average point and shoot. I got mine for £5 from eBay – mint condition. Bargain.
Do I carry it around with me? It’s big; it’s not going in a pocket, you’ll need a bag. And it weighs a lot.
I don’t often carry it around with me. Once in a while though – it is so nice to use, and it’s my only zoom.
Links
The Zoom XL in the Canon camera museum: http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/film/data/1986-1990/1989_abzsp.html?lang=us&categ=srs&page=ab
Manual: http://www.cameramanuals.org/canon_pdf/canon_sureshot_zoom_xl.pdf
SureShot Zoom XL gallery
