[toylas]

I've never owned a Pentax P&S and have sometimes wondered about getting the rugged Pentax P&S but I would like to have a point and shoot camera that at the very least gives me manual controls over shutter and aperture. Right now I have a Canon A590 IS and it's doing a good job but I'll probably give it to my parents and get a new one for myself.

[RioRico]

Specifications, including information about manual controls or lack thereof, are here at DPR: DpReview.Com - specs - Pentax

[unixrevolution]

I don't know about other Optio models, but the A40 and similar have Program AE, Shutter priority and Manual modes, among all the other fancy modes. There are only 2 F/stops, F/2.8 and f/8.0 on my Optio A40, but you can indeed do a fully manual exposure with one. I used that feature to get shots at night of lit-up roadside signs.

The Pentax Optio A40 also offers exposure compensation and manual or automatic ISO. It's really got a LOT of control. I don't know if this functionality is on all Pentax P&S cameras, but it's definitely there on the A40 and the other top-shelf cameras.

[GerryL]

I've never owned a Pentax P&S and have sometimes wondered about getting the rugged Pentax P&S but I would like to have a point and shoot camera that at the very least gives me manual controls over shutter and aperture. Right now I have a Canon A590 IS and it's doing a good job but I'll probably give it to my parents and get a new one for myself.

That is a good idea to give your parents the Canon since it is easier to operate and does a fine job at being actually as the name suggests "point and shoot"!
What I like about the new Pentax P&S are their ruggedness and it can get wet in the raini or the like..plus the now ones shoot HD video too.

[Pentaxie]

Yes, the Canon A40 has such functions as narrated by unixrevolution.

But most Pentax P&S does not have manual controls over shutter and aperture, as far as I know. Some do have manual control in focusing macro shots.

Cheers.