Optio A40 reliability Q

[pfdude]

Hi all,

New here. About to purchase an Optio A40, but have a question about reliability. The lab tests, magazine reviews, etc are all quite good, but I'm not finding user reviews on it, which would indicate more about durability/reliability over time. My concerns stem from a number of A30 user reviews indicating that they're not very durable as the slightest bumps etc cause problems/failures.

Anyone here care to add some data on this? Especially if you can compare the durability of the A30 to A40.

Thanks,
-Neil.

[Sharkonwheels]

Originally Posted by pfdude

Hi all,

New here. About to purchase an Optio A40, but have a question about reliability. The lab tests, magazine reviews, etc are all quite good, but I'm not finding user reviews on it, which would indicate more about durability/reliability over time. My concerns stem from a number of A30 user reviews indicating that they're not very durable as the slightest bumps etc cause problems/failures.

Anyone here care to add some data on this? Especially if you can compare the durability of the A30 to A40.

Although I can't compare it to an A30 (never had it or was it) I HAVE owned an Optio A40 since March (Bought from Tuttle Camera in Cali) and am 110% pleased with it so far.

Took it with me on a marathon visit to 3 ships in Alaska in August, along with a K20D, and it had no issues working in the sub-40-degree temps. WHile it hasn't been dropped, abused, or mistreated, and always kept (when not in use) in the nylon pentax case, I haven't exactly treated it like gold, either. I've probably got about 1000-1500 shots through it, no complaints, no issues.

FYI, I got it from Tuttle on eBay, $130 including the Pentax case, and a Pentax 2YR extended warranty (3 total) although I don't think they have any left. Thought it was a good deal, and pulled the trigger. I was contemplating the Fuji F200EXR, and the Canon SX200is as well...

The one thing that you must remember about reviews, is one an item fails, people are WAY willing to be vocal about it.

When item works fine, which is expected, you don't hear much.
You'll usually only hear very much from the vocal majority...

Let me know if you want some full-res samples from that Alaska trip, and I can gather some up and email them to you. Alot of difficult scenes, like snow near greenery, all under an overcast sky, etc... Icebergs in the water, with green next to it...

T