As I shoot street photography, I like a camera that doesn’t get in my way as I try to capture scenes that are here now but won’t be a second later. This multi-purpose switch also opens and closes the lens cover, and when toggled further, fits the built-in soft filter over the lens.

I began this article comparing the Canon Sure Shot Tele to legendary point-and-shoot cameras like the Contax T3 and the Yashica T4. I do like the camera and for spectacle wearer like myself the large viewfinder is a bonus, as is the use of AA batteries. I realized that I might be stuck in this little red dot a little longer than I thought I would, but I’m sure that this is not permanent! If you’ve already done that, your item hasn’t arrived, or it’s not as described, you can report that to Etsy by opening a case. She had one just like this but it was worn out from constant use, with the back taped to keep the roll door shut.The waterproof Sure Shot A-1 and the Sure Shot Classic 120 also share a similar dial, so kudos to Canon for using this with some of their Sure Shots instead of fiddly buttons. Exposure latitude of slide film is really minimal so the exposure range limitations of the camera became readily apparent, something that probably wouldn’t have been the case if negative film had been used. The operation is likely too noisy for photographers that prefer to be discreet, such as street photographers. Given both cameras are 20+ years old, my rule of thumb is to go for the later option, as there’s slightly less time for the electronics to fail or for the camera to receive damage in use.

In practical use, the Canon Sure Shot Zoom XL functions much as any other point and shoot film camera from the late-1980s and ’90s, offering nothing that would surprise photographers who are familiar with the type. Probably the worst noise I’ve ever heard come out of a camera; grinding and winding, it sounds like it’s breaking. There were a couple of occasions when the camera missed the focus on close subjects as the subject was too close, but I also ignored the warning lights in the viewfinder that told me the subject was too close and not in focus.

I should add that I’ll be holding onto this camera for the summer, and will update this review with additional photos over time. The whole line of Canon Sure Shot cameras – which ran from 1979 to 2005 and was known as Autoboy in Japan – was designed to give the company a meaty slice of the consumer camera market. The name stayed the same, which didn’t help alleviate that confusion, although these models can be identified by the control dial added to the front. It reminds me to switch of the flash if i’m wanting to take a candid shot without blinding people with the flash.