Panasonic Lumix G5 Deal- Quick Review

Panasonic Lumix G5 Deal- Quick Review

Probably the best deal in Mirrorless right now is the Panasonic Lumix G5 at $301.00 at Amazon.com. Panasonic DMC-G5 Amazon Deal! This camera is loaded with features and has most of what the G6 has (including the same sensor) for about 1/2 the price here. For a mirrorless body, I don't see a better deal out there unless you want a really small body. If you need smaller the GX1 is priced at $299.00 at Amazon right now too. The G5 has everything you need in a camera, an excellent built in EVF, 6FPS, 3" tilt and swivel LCD, awesome video, art filters, excellent resolution, fast auto focus and much more. Read more



Panasonic DMC-G5 Amazon

Sony Alpha A200- Re-Review

Sony Alpha A200- Re-Review
July 2013, Carl Garrard

Sony Alpha A200: Re-Review- Introduction: Yep that title is correct. I'm reviewing this camera all over again, but why? Well, that's easy. My first review of the A200 just flat out sucked. Yep, I said it, and have no qualms about admitting it. I've learned a lot since I've reviewed the A200 the first time and  picked one up for next to nothing used in like new condition from an excellent seller on ebay. After spending a couple months with it (again) I realized that there were a lot of good things about this camera that I missed or didn't emphasize in a way they should have been for A-Mount readers. Lets take another (short) trip with the A200.




Sony Alpha A200 Used Price Search

Olympus Stylus XZ-10 Review

Olympus Stylus XZ-10 Review (Final)
July 2013, Carl Garrard
Olympus Stylus XZ-10 Review- Lately, Olympus has been on a bit of a tear with it's cameras, introducing a lot of hot new enthusiast level cameras in its micro four thirds line and its stylus lineup as well. The XZ-10 is the latest enthusiast level compact from Olympus that sits one level below the XZ-2 (it's flagship compact). From its exterior it may look like just another point and shoot camera but this my friends is a wolf in sheep's clothing. This camera is loaded with solid specs and promises very good performance from its back-lit CMOS sensor and very bright 26-130mm f/1.8-2.7 i.Zuiko lens. In fact, this camera is so full of features, I can't help but feel a bit overwhelmed in addressing them with you. But as I say, I like a good bang for the buck and the XZ-10, at least on paper, may very well be at the top of the heap for its price. 


Olympus XZ-10 Instant Price Range Check

Kenko LCD Protection Film- The Very Best!

LCD protectors are a popular item to anyone that cares about the appearance of their camera. And trust me...I've used them all. And without a doubt this film from Kenko is the best product of its kind that I've used in this idustry. If you want a hard glass protector, ACMAXX are probably the best (ebay) of it's kind out there. Yet if you yearn for flexible, removable LCD protection film this one has them all beat. Installation instructions are the best I've seen, as well as how Kenko tabs the front and rear removal film for the user. The anti-reflective qualities and anti smudging quality beat every type of protector I've used, including the glass types. Kenko must have done their homework on this project because what they claim is what you get. I'm not usually hot on reporting about accessory products on this website, but I just had to share this one with readers here. Price is also very good. Pick one up and let me know what you think, and if I've missed anything.


Kenko LCD Protection Film

Olympus 15mm f8 Review (BCL-1580)

Olympus 15mm f8 Review (BCL-1580)
July 2013, Carl Garrard

Olympus 15mm f/8 Review (BCL-1580)- July has been a hot month for reviews on Photographic Central. Today I review the somewhat new and definitely unique Olympus 15mm f/8 Lens on a silver Olympus E-PL2 (the most beautiful Pen design yet I say). In case you didn't know, BCL in its technical name stands for Body Cap Lens. Indeed this little lens is just that, similar in size and weight to a DLSR or Mirrorless camera's body cap. Prices range from $39.99 to $69.99 here in the USA, and mine came in at the lower price. This lens is a fixed aperture lens with a mechanical focus lever offering a surprisingly wide range of focusing, including what Olympus calls "close" focusing.


Olympus BCL-15mm f8.0 Best/Current Amazon Price

Canon Powershot SX130IS- Review

Canon Powershot SX130IS- Review
July 2013, Carl Garrard

Hi. I'm the SX130is. Do you want to play?

Ok, you hate complicated cameras but you still want one that can shoot just about everything. Or maybe you are on a budget and don't want to be stuck with your camera phone or a very low end point and shoot camera. How about a refurbished Canon Powershot SX130IS for $89.00 that covers 28-336mm with an f/2.8-5.6 lens? How about it? Well if you look to your left, that's the camera I'm talking about, and the price I got mine for. Today the used camera market has never been better but finding the diamonds in the rough can be daunting. This is what you hired me for though, to do the dirty work for you. Come lads and lassies, lets venture forth!




The land of the SX130IS awaits you!

Olympus Stylus XZ-10- In For Review!

Olympus Stylus XZ-10- In For Review
July 2013 Carl Garrard

Today Photographic-Central received the Olympus Stylus XZ-10 for review, and I've had about 5 minutes with the camera (while I'm down for the count here at home). For reminder, this is an enthusiastic level pocket compact camera with a 26-130mm f/1.8-2.7 lens and loaded with tons of features. My first 5 minutes/impressions with this camera have been extremely impressive. This has to be the fastest focusing pocket compact I've ever used, and its build quality is equally impressive. The control dial and zoom toggle feel absolutely perfect - well sprung so they aren't fiddly. There is of course much more to share about the XZ-10 and I will do so. Please check in soon and likely I'll have a review up.  For now you can check out the specifications etc on the link below.


Olympus XZ-10 Best Price Searched!

Pentax MX-1 Review

Pentax MX-1 Review
June 2013, Carl Garrard
Pentax has been out of the enthusiast compact fixed/lens camera market for quite some time now. The last "serious" enthusiast fixed lens compact from Pentax that I recall came in the form of the Optio 750Z, which was introduced sometime around 2004. That's some hiatus. With a surge of entry level compact sales going to camera phones instead, it's time for manufacturers to knock the dust off of serious designs and cater more than ever to enthusiasts. The MX-1 offers many modern features on paper with a unique flair of style that harkens back to its 35mm film glory days. It's nice to see Pentax enter the enthusiast compact market again, albeit a  pretty crowded one.


Pentax MX-1 Best Available Price

Canon Powershot A1200 Review

Canon Powershot A1200 Review- July 2013 Carl Garrard

Tis always the season for a new digital camera, and some of you like to get them on a budget. Hunting through the massive inventories of budget compacts on the market for the best deals isn't easy, but I've settled my sights on this little gem from Canon- the Powershot A1200 compact camera. Even with a wealth of experience with the camera market, choosing cameras to review is still a bit hit and miss. My goal is to bring forth reviews to my readers that are about interesting cameras that are a good bang for the buck. I carefully spend my time sifting through the various models old and new, to find little diamonds to share with you. So, is the Powershot A1200 a hit, or a miss for the price?


Canon Powershot A1200 Best Amazon Deal

Canon EOS M Deal

Couldn't pass up letting other photographers know about this deal from B&H Photo. A new EOS M and 22mm STM f/2 lens for only $299. Offer is only good for a very short time. I'd grab one while you can as I myself am getting one too! The EOS M is a simplified mirrorless camera with touch screen and a very nice 18mp APS-C sized sensor. The 22mm STM lens is silent and offers a fast bright aperture. The package together is a steal in terms of a portable high image quality camera. Grab it and forget it at that price! Go direct here: CANON EOS M & 22mm STM f/2 LENS DEAL!



CANON EOS M and 22mm STM DEAL