• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 111.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax Optio A40
  • Olympus PEN E-PM1
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A40 E-PM1
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Ultra Compact Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $299.95 $499.99
Street Price:    
Date Available: 2008-02-15 2011-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 5.3 oz (150 g)
includes batteries
13.5 oz (382 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 3.6 x 2.2 x 0.9 in.
(91 x 56 x 23 mm)
4.3 x 2.5 x 1.3 in.
(110 x 64 x 34 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 12.0 12.3
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch 4/3
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.90 microns 4.29 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   52
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   21.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   10.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   499
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4032 x 3024 (12.2 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1440 (2.8 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.2), MPO (3D), 12-bit RAW (.ORF)
Continuous-mode frames/second: n/a 5.3
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (60i (20Mbps/​17Mbps))
1280x720 (60p (17Mbps/​13Mbps))
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVI (DivX MPEG-4) AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Micro Four Thirds
Lens: SMC Pentax Zoom (7 elements in 5 groups, 3 aspherical) Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 37 - 111mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 7.9 - 23.7mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (wide) - f/5.4 (tele) - ??? f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 35 cm to Infinity
13.8 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 6 - 40 cm
2.4 - 15.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a 37.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 6x 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 5 point Contrast Detect AF; spot, tracking, and face recognition Contrast Detect: High-speed, 35-point with Face Detection and Tracking. Auto from all 35 area, Single area from 35 area, Group Target area (9 area) from 35 area, Up to 8 Faces Detected
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   Optional EVF mounted in flash hotshoe
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 232,000 dots 460,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 8.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (auto up to 3200 in Digital SR mode) Auto (customizable range), 200 - 12800 (1/3, 1 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Underwater, Custom WB, One-touch WB
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 4 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: TTL metering: Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot 324-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot (~1%, with Highlight/Shadow modes)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Natural Skin Tone, Half-length Portrait (3MP), Night Scene, Landscape, Flower, Portrait, Kids, Digital SR (5MP), Surf & Snow, Sport, Pet, Text, Food, Frame Composite (3MP), Dynamic Range Adjustment Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Macro, Sport, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Document, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv, Wide Conv, Macro Conv, 3D, Underwater wide, Underwater macro; Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Dramatic Tone)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: On, Off, Auto, Redeye, Soft Flash Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64), Off. Wireless flash control supported.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: Wide: 0.20 - 23 ft (0.06 – 7.1 m); Tele: Approx. 1.15 – 11 ft (0.35 – 3.5 m) Bundled external flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200)
Max Flash Sync:   1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot-Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   12-bit RAW (.ORF)
Movie File Format: AVI (DivX MPEG-4) AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Included Memory: 21.0 MB  
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: IR, optional Optional RM-UC1 wired remote
Connections (extended): DC input Accessory Port 2, Multi Connector (USB/AV/Remote), Mini HDMI (Type C)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):   0.59
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.57
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   15
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):   5.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   9
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):   0.25 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.112 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.075 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Full Autofocus Lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.289s
Startup Time:   1.8 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.5 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   4.7 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 240 shots 330 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary D-LI68 Proprietary BLS-1 or BLS-5
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary D-LI68 Lithium Ion rechargeable Proprietary BLS-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software (S-SW69) CD-ROM OLYMPUS Viewer 2/[ib] CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, TruePic VI Image Processor, "FAST" AF System, Full HD movies, 6 Art Filters, Bundled External Flash. Available in Purple, Silver, Pink, White, Black and Brown.