Pentax Introduces 12-Megapixel Optio A40 Compact

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Pentax Optio A40 Digital Camera

The latest compact camera from Pentax, the Optio A40, is a 12-megapixel model equipped with 3 types of Shake Reduction: mechanical, digital and movie.

Mechanical shake reduction shifts the image sensor (CCD) horizontally and vertically in relation to the amount of camera shake that its gyro sensor detects. This is true image stabilization.

Digital shake reduction of course is nothing but just raising the camera’s ISO setting, up to 3200 with the A40, to enable a faster shutter speed and not catch much of the shake.

Movie SR uses software to correct distortions in images caused by camera shake during the capturing of movies, and could be of dubious usefulness.

The A40 also features the newest Face Recognition technology including a Natural Skin Tone mode and a Half-length Portrait mode, which automatically takes a head and shoulder photograph of subjects. It sports a 2.5-inch Wide View LCD screen.

The Pentax Optio A40 will be in stores this month with a $300 price tag.

[Site: PentaxImaging.com]

Published by Chris Malinao

Chris teaches Lightroom as workflow software to photography students at the FPPF, Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation. He also teaches smartphone photography.