• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 111.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 288.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax A40 advantages over Panasonic SZ10

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 240 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 29 mm
    Thinner

Panasonic SZ10 advantages over Pentax A40

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    288 mm vs 111 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Newer
    9 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 232k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax A40

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic SZ10
Panasonic SZ10 (Black)
All SZ10 Deals

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

Panasonic SZ10
Pentax S12
  • $129
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic SZ10 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

Panasonic SZ10
Samsung SL310
  • $129
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $230
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic SZ10 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

Panasonic SZ10
Samsung TL34HD
  • $129
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $330
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic SZ10 vs Samsung TL34HD

Compared to Nikon S6400

Pentax A40
Nikon S6400
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax A40 vs Nikon S6400

Panasonic SZ10
Nikon S6400
  • $129
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ10 vs Nikon S6400

Compared to Panasonic SZ8

Pentax A40
Panasonic SZ8
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax A40 vs Panasonic SZ8

Panasonic SZ10
Panasonic SZ8
  • $129
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic SZ10 vs Panasonic SZ8

Compare Other Cameras?