Pentax Optio M40 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The Pentax Optio M40 joins the dense market of sub-$200 digital cameras. The 8-megapixel Optio M40 carries the standard specifications that characterize this popular category: a 2.5-inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens. The camera boasts high ISO ...

Verdict: The camera touts a high 3200 ISO sensitivity setting with Pentax's Digital Shake Reduction system, offering more low light flexibility than the Casio Exilim EX-Z77, with an 800 ISO maximum, or the GE G1, with a maximum 1600 ISO. Pictures taken with ...

Review summary: The Pentax Optio M40 joins the dense market of sub-$200 digital cameras. The 8-megapixel Optio M40 carries the standard specifications that characterize this popular category: a 2.5-inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens. The camera boasts high ISO ...

Verdict: Unfortunately, the M40's lengthy list of cons outweigh its pros. The Pentax Optio M40's poor image quality, limited Movie mode, and lack of manual control leave it lagging behind the curve. The Pentax Optio M40 is ultimately a lackluster camera in an ...

Review summary: Introduced in July 2007, the 8-megapixel Pentax Optio M40 is one of a number of 3x optical zoom cameras on the market for less than $200. Its most touted features are digital shake reduction and face priority autofocus and auto exposure. Read on to ...

Pros: - Thin, lightweight, and portable design - Effective flash over long distances - Low noise levels through ISO 800 - Good dynamic range at low ISO sensitivities - Well organized, customizable photo software - Affordable price

Cons: - Loud zoom lens with barrel distortion and limited aperture - No zoom in Movie mode - No optical/mechanical image stabilization - Lens blurs the edges and corners of the frame - Overpowering flash at short distances - Terrible noise and low ...

Verdict: The Pentax Optio M40 is an automatic, lightweight, affordable point-and-shoot. The Optio has an 8-megapixel resolution, basic 3x optical zoom lens, and 2.5-inch LCD screen. With upgrades in resolution, flash illumination, and expanded ISO, the Optio ...

Review summary: The compact Optio M series exterior has been redesigned for 2007. Powered by an ultra-thin Lithium-Ion battery and featuring a miniaturized circuit board, the M40 body is a slim 0.7 inches (18mm). While the aluminum alloy body offers ruggedness as ...

Verdict: The Optio M40 features a Digital Shake Reduction mode to adjust the camera sensitivity to as high as ISO 3200 to match the brightness of the subject. Even in low-light conditions, this feature increases shutter speeds to help reduce blurring and ...

Review summary: The Pentax Optio M40 is a newly-introduced "ultra-slim, sophisticated metallic body" point & shoot (P&S) that is a refresh of the Optio M30 – the new camera gets a few more pixels on a slightly larger sensor, a higher resolution monitor, stronger ...

Pros: Accurate color rendition ; Good shutter lag time once focus is acquired

Cons: Monitor hard to use in bright conditions ; Poor dim light focus acquisition time

Verdict: Pentax includes a wrist strap, Li-ion battery and charger, USB and A/V cables, CD-ROM software and operating manual with each camera. The camera accepts SD or SDHC memory cards