Pentax Optio M40

Value (4.0)
The competition at the $199 price point is fierce. Manufacturers know the budget price point is golden. With mostly automatic functions, limited manual control, and built-in editing, the Pentax M40 is built for new shooters. The Optio camera carries some admirable traits, including face detection and high ISO settings. However, it is outshined by an overwhelming number of competing cameras that offer more features for the same price, including optical image stabilization and 16:9 panoramic shooting.

Who’s this Camera For?
Point and Shooters – The Pentax M40 is tailored to the novice point-and-shooter. With automatic functions, limited manual controls, and built-in editing, users can begin snapping pictures right away.

Budget Consumers – At less than$200, the Pentax M40 certainly fits the bill for the frugal. Bargain hunters should be aware that there are plenty of sub-$200 digital cameras on the market that are worth comparing with the Optio point-and-shoot.

Gadget Freaks – Technophiles will likely look the other way in favor of the more tantalizing features of competing cameras. The Pentax M40 won’t catch the attention of gadget lovers.

Manual Control Freaks – The Pentax M40 lacks shutter and aperture controls, which offer flexibility for users who want to develop their skills with more advanced camera functions.

Pros / Serious Amateurs – Professional photographers and advanced shooters won’t touch the Pentax M40 with a 10 foot pole; they won’t even consider the Optio camera as a backup camera. Lacking manual controls and performing poorly at high ISOs, the Pentax M40 will scare the pros away.

Comparisons
Pentax Optio M30 – The predecessor to the M40 can be found online for approximately $150 (original price $199.95). The M30 has a near-identical body design that makes it hard to distinguish between the two. For about $50 less than the newer model, the 7.1-megapixel M30 has a lower resolution than the 8-megapixel M40. Both carry a 3x zoom lens and equally sized 2.5-inch LCD screens. The M30 doesn’t have as high a monitor resolution, with an out-of-date 115,000-pixel resolution compared to the M40’s 150,000-pixel resolution. M30 users will also have to sacrifice the expanded flash distance and the wider ISO range on the M40.


Canon A570 IS – The Canon A570 IS has something the M40 doesn’t: optical image stabilization. At a lower $170 online price tag (original price $249), the Canon A570 IS carries a longer 4x optical zoom compared to the M40’s 3x optical zoom. Both feature equally-sized 2.5-inch LCD screens, but the Canon A570 IS sacrifices screen resolution at 115,000 pixels versus the 150,000-pixel resolution of the Pentax M40. The Canon A570 IS is also only capable of up to 1600 ISO, whereas the Pentax M40 can reach 3200 ISO. The Canon A570 IS has wide 16:9 shooting for panoramas that the Pentax camera doesn’t offer. Both cameras feature face detection technology. The Canon A570 IS doesn’t have the slim, sleek look of the Pentax M40, but it does have a right hand grip that comes in useful during prolonged shooting.


Casio Exilim EX-Z77 – At the same $179 online price (original price $229.99), the Casio EX-Z77 may look just as tempting for its similar slim design and easy portability. The Casio Z77 carries a lower 7.2-megapixel resolution compared to the 8-megapixel Pentax M40. Both have 3x optical zoom lenses. The Casio camera is fitted with a slightly larger 2.6-inch screen, but it only has 114,960-pixel resolution versus the M40’s 150,000-pixel resolution. The Casio Z77 only has a maximum sensitivity of 800 ISO, whereas the Pentax camera has a high 3200 ISO. Both cameras feature face detection technology.




GE G1 – The techno-curious might consider the newcomer to the market, the GE G1. At the same $200 price point, the GE camera comes at a lower 7-megapixel resolution compared to the 8-megpaixel Pentax M40. Both are fitted with 3x optical zoom lenses and 2.5-inch LCD monitors. The GE G1, however, has a slightly higher monitor resolution at 153,000 pixels versus the 150,000-pixel resolution on the Optio camera. The GE G1 has a shorter sensitivity range with a maximum of 1600 ISO, while the Pentax camera goes up to 3200 ISO. Both cameras have face detection technology.





Kodak EasyShare V803 – The $199.95 Kodak V803 and Pentax M40 both feature portable designs, 3x optical zoom lenses, and 2.5-inch LCDs. The Kodak camera has a slightly higher monitor resolution at 154,000 pixels compared to the Pentax M40’s 150,000-pixel resolution. The EasyShare camera has a sensitivity max of 1600 ISO, whereas the Pentax reaches 3200 ISO. The Kodak camera lacks face detection that the Pentax M40 carries. Kodak users, however, have the option to choose from a rainbow of colored bodies.