Pentax Optio M40 Digital Camera Review

Likes

- 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

Dislikes

- 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 dynamic range at ISO 1600 and 3200 settings - Poor white balance accuracy - Flimsy battery/memory compartment door

Conclusion
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 M40 makes strides in the company’s digital camera lineup.

There are just too many problems working against the Pentax M40. The camera tends to produce high noise and low dynamic range at high ISO settings. Perhaps the biggest deficiency is the lack of optical image stabilization, which is critical to prevent image blur. While rare at this price point, optically stabilized cameras are available.

While the easy-to-use M40 includes some attractive features, such as a face detection system and high ISO settings, it is eclipsed by the competition.