The Pentax Optio A40 - A camera for All Seasons
Previewed on 8 April 2008

There is no doubt that Pentax have been striving to be counted in the world of top digital compacts, with their range of cameras managing to keep up with the leaps and bounds that tiny digitals have been making. But when the Pentax Optio A40 was announced some of us felt that tingle of excitement up our spines. If it was anything like the Pentax Optio A30, then we would be more then interested.

It was first planned for release around October 2007, but a fire at the Matsushita Battery Manufacturing Company stalled its debut while they quickly tried to find another lithium battery for the A40 and make the changes it required to accommodate the new battery. Its release was re-announced for February this year. Well February is long since passed and the A40 is still fashionably late but somehow that hasn't damped our enthusiasm for the pint sized treat. We are if anything even more eager to see it released.

One reason enthusiasm hasn't damped is the success of the A30. It is a small camera with 10 megapixels, a 2.5-inch screen and the standard toys of face recognition, Divx movie recording and shake reduction. It may not fry fish or shoot fireworks, but you could be sure that it would always take good photos and it wasn't over complicated.

Perhaps the success of the A30 prompted Pentax to try making something with even more oomph. Pentax decided to concentrate on simplicity and ease of use. A40's call the fame is the improvements it's made since the A30. Instead of 10 megapixels, it holds 12 megapixels, and it offers three different types of shake reduction, so you could be in the middle of an earthquake but still take clear pictures and movies.

It is undoubtedly a worthy little camera and it promises to be a popular choice for consumers with its beautiful body, easy handling and all our favorite toys bundled inside. The A40 does give its predecessor a run for its money and though the release date is still up in the air, it won't be long until Pentax fans can get their hands on the new Pentax Optio A40.