PENTAX Optio A40 Expert Reviews

We have analyzed the reviews for the PENTAX Optio A40 using our BETA review analysis. These are our findings:

meager appearance, so-so features.

Please note: The ratings above are generated using our BETA automatic review analysis and may contain errors.

The Pentax Optio A40 is the latest result of Pentax's tradition of producing simple, usable, ultracompact cameras that have high-quality optics. Retailing for about $250 (as of September 1, 2008), this 12-megapixel black-and-silver model has a serious loo...

Attractive design Great features and 12-megapixel sensor

Battery door seems a little flimsy Can't get very close with macro mode

A few minor complaints: I wish that Pentax had included a RAW image option (at 12 megapixels, why not?). I'd also love to have seen a 5X (rather than 3X) optical zoom and a wider-angle lens. Despite those minor shortcomings, the Optio A40 is a good, no-no...

Featuring 12 megapixels, the compact and stylish Optio A40 offers three types of Shake Reduction including mechanical, digital and movie. Each version helps deliver sharp, blur-free shots where camera shake is an issue such as action photography or in low...

Not yet reviewed by editors.

In the last year, photography has really gained importance among my hobbies and interests. I absolutely love taking pictures. There's just one problem: it can be really difficult to carry a camera, especially if it's a DSLR, at all times. I found, however...

Excellently sized compact camera, Good lens, Great image quality

Focusing difficulties (many photos completely out of focus), Sluggish flash performance, Menus can be a bit confusing

The Pentax Optio A40 is an attractive twelve megapixel camera with an SMC Pentax-branded 3x optical zoom lens, and a 2.5" LCD display. Offering a higher than average resolution of 232,000 pixels, this LCD is the only method of framing images since the A40...

Optio A40 connectivity includes both high-speed USB 2.0 and NTSC / PAL video, and images are stored on Secure Digital / MultiMediaCards, including newer SDHC types, plus 21MB of built-in memory. The Pentax A40 derives its power from a proprietary Lithium-...

We associate Pentax compacts with cheery, child-like styling, but the top-of-the-range Optio A40 is striving to be taken rather more seriously. Optical image stabilisation, a 12-megapixel resolution, fast performance and excellent image quality all bolste...

Optical image stabilisation; excellent image quality

Uninspiring specs; hard to take styling seriously

With a high-end price tag but middling specs, the Pentax Optio A40 doesn't stand out. Picture quality is first-class, with optical image stabilisation and dynamic range adjustment looking interesting, but the toy-like styling isn't for us

Matt Grayson gets to grips with the Pentax Optio A40. A camera with a name like a stretch of road that goes from Oxford to Haverfordwest.

Great build quality, Loads of features, Good quality lens, Fast and quiet operation

Noise, noise and more noise, Chooses wrong apertures in scene modes

I'm blown away by the feature set of this little compact and the build quality is excellent too. It's unfortunate that something has to give and with the Pentax Optio A40 it's noise control. Frankly, it's rubbish at it. It can't stop even a slight smatter...

The Pentax Optio A40 is the latest result of Pentax's tradition of producing simple, usable, ultracompact cameras that have high-quality optics.

The Pentax Optio A40 is a good, no-nonsense camera that captures pictures with surprisingly good image quality.

The 12-megapixel Optio A40 assembles some great features in an easy-to-use camera.

Pentax's flagship compact looks surprisingly plain, but its metal shell feels robust. There's nothing modest about what's inside, with a 12 megapixel sensor and manual exposure control. Optical image stabilisation counteracts shake, but the 3x zoom is a l...

Hard to fault, or to get excited about. A great all-rounder, but lower-specified cameras are better value.