• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 111.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/3 inch 17.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 29.00mm - 87.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax A40 advantages over Nikon S30

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.32 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    111 mm vs 87 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    150g vs 214g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    12.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/2000 vs 1/1000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S30 advantages over Pentax A40

  • Less expensive
    $120 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Wider angle lens
    29 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax S12

Pentax A40
Pentax S12
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch

Compare Pentax A40 vs Pentax S12

Nikon S30
Pentax S12
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S30 vs Pentax S12

Compared to Samsung SL310

Pentax A40
Samsung SL310
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle lens

Compare Pentax A40 vs Samsung SL310

Nikon S30
Samsung SL310
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S30 vs Samsung SL310

Compared to Samsung TL34HD

Pentax A40
Samsung TL34HD
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen

Compare Pentax A40 vs Samsung TL34HD

Nikon S30
Samsung TL34HD
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S30 vs Samsung TL34HD

Compared to Nikon S31

Pentax A40
Nikon S31
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Pentax A40 vs Nikon S31

Nikon S30
Nikon S31
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Faster shutter

Compare Nikon S30 vs Nikon S31

Compared to Nikon S33

Pentax A40
Nikon S33
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $109
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Pentax A40 vs Nikon S33

Nikon S30
Nikon S33
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $109
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon S30 vs Nikon S33

Compare Other Cameras?