Digital Camera Reviews

The Pentax Optio A40 is 12 meg apixel camera with 3x optical zoom.  The LCD size is 2.5 inch.

The Camera has three types of shake reduction - SR(Shake Reduction) mechanism, Digital SR” (Shake Reduction) and Movie SR.

The Camera has 21 MB internal Memory. It has Video recording function enabling high-quality recording for long period .

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Pentax Optio A40 News Release

PENTAX Optio A40 – A top class, compact digital camera with 12.0 effective megapixelsPENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce the PENTAX Optio A40, the latest model in the “Optio A” series- PENTAX’s top class compact digital cameras that pursue high image quality and high performance. The Optio A40 has an increased 12.0 effective megapixels and high image quality rivaling that of SLR cameras.

Pentax Optio A40 Main Features:

1. 12.0 effective megapixels for higher image quality and enhanced
performance
The Optio A40 is PENTAX’s first digital camera with 12.0 effective megapixels, which enables for ultra high-definition images. It is newly equipped with a large, 1/1.7-inch CCD that has a wide light receiving area that is superior in tone reproduction. Through the incorporation of a new image engine that has excellent color reproducibility and smc PENTAX lens, which has a reputation as
having high resolving power, the Optio A40 pursues even higher image quality and further enhanced performance.

2. Three types of anti-shake functions to suit any photography situation
1. SR(Shake Reduction) mechanism
The SR mechanism is unique to PENTAX, and corrects camera shakes when photographing still images by shifting the image sensor (CCD) horizontally and vertically in relation to the amount of shaking that the high-accuracy gyro sensor detects. The shake reduction technology used in PENTAX’s digital SLR cameras is applied to the Optio A40 as well, and highly corrective effects that are equivalent to shutter speeds of approximately 2.5 to 3.5 steps can be achieved.
2. “Digital SR” (Shake Reduction) *1
Digital SR (Shake Reduction) mode automatically adjusts sensitivity, to as high as the ultrahigh sensitivity of ISO 3200 according to the brightness of the subject, and effectively reduces camera shakes and subject blurring when photographing still images. With fast shutter speeds, photography with reduced blurring is available.

3. “Movie SR” (Shake Reduction) *2
The Movie SR function electronically reduces camera shakes exclusively during the shooting of movies. This function uses software to effectively correct distortions in images caused by camera shakes during the capturing of movies.

3. “Face Recognition AF&AE” function that photographs portrait more beautifully with simple operation
The Optio A40 is equipped with a “Face Recognition AF&AE” function*3 that automatically detects and focuses on faces. In addition, the Optio A40 also comes with new functions that apply face recognition technology, such as “Natural Skin Tone” mode, which smoothly presents skin texture based on the detected information, and “Half-length Portrait” mode*4, which automatically takes a close-up photograph of the bust by trimming the people recognized in photo frame.

4. New “Dynamic Range Adjustment” function to prevent white outs and
black outs
The Optio A40 is newly equipped with a “Dynamic Range Adjustment” to prevent white outs and black outs by correcting the tones for the highlighted areas or the shadowed areas of a subject with significant differences in contrast. When photographing people against the sun, it is possible to deposit subjects brightly while keeping the tones of the background

5. Bright and easy-to view LCD monitor
This LCD monitor is a high intensity type equipped with an LCD booster that adjusts the brightness of screen, which users can easily check the screen even at the outdoors. With 2.5-inch and high resolution of approximately 232,000 pixels, it is easy to confirm picture compositions and the focus. Due to its wide viewing angle, the screen can also be easily viewed, since there is little change in brightness and colors even when looking at the monitor diagonally.

6. 3X optical zoom and 6X digital zoom for a maximum of 17.9X
magnification

The Optio A40 features a 3X optical zoom lens with a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 37-111mm lens in 35mm format, which is ideal for a broad spectrum of subjects from landscapes, through memorial photographs, to portraits. Such zooming power can also be combined with 6X digital zoom to achieve a total of approximately 17.9X zoom capability.

7. Video recording function enabling high-quality recording for long period
of time
The Optio A40 smoothly captures movies at 30fps (frames per second) at sizes up to 640×480 pixels with image quality rivaling camcorders. Since it employs the DivX® (MPEG-4) movie format*5, the Optio A40 can record long, high-quality movies.

8. Others
1. Users can freely choose “Shutter-Priority AE” mode and “Manual Exposure” mode, depending on the effect they are aiming to achieve
2. An “Intelligent zoom” function enables images to be magnified shooting, while maintaining the image quality of optical zoom
3. “Auto Picture” mode automatically determines the best settings for the shooting conditions
4. Mode palette provide quick access of 18 shooting modes and 15 playback modes
5. Approximately 21.0 MB of built-in-memory
6. Compatible with SD memory cards and SDHC memory cards
7. FotoNation’s red eye compensation function for flash shots
8. Includes the ACDSee for PENTAX 3.0 image viewer/image management software that support Windows Vista™
9. Support PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III

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