With all of the rumors swirling around this one over the last few weeks, it's fair to say that we weren't exactly surprised when Nikon announced its latest consumer DSLR – the Nikon D5000 – right on schedule this evening.
As expected, the D5000 meshes technologies from the current prosumer D90 and consumer D60 models into an all new entry-level model that goes beyond a "parts bin" model: with D90-style HD video capture, a serious AF upgrade, and a unique swivel LCD, the D5000 brings much of the shooting hardware of Nikon's higher-end models to a price and a form factor that should appeal to casual shutterbugs.
D90-derived hardware If the D5000 didn't quite live up to some of the more outlandish rumors surrounding its hardware (no, there's no full-frame 16 megapixel sensor...), the latest iterration in the D40/D40X/D60 series nonetheless gets a pretty substantial upgrade with the inclusion of what appears to be the same highly regarded 12.3 megapixel CMOS imager that powers the D90. Nikon EXPEED processing pulls prosumer-grade performance from this APS-C (DX format, in Nikon-speak) imager, with an expanded high-sensitivity limit of ISO 6400 and 4.0 fps continuous shooting.
Speaking of D90-grade tech, the D5000's auto focus system also makes a significant leap forward for Nikon's entry-level DSLR line, ditching the long-in-the-tooth three-point AF sensor in favor of an 11-point variant with auto 3D-tracking – just like you'll find on the D90. Likewise, the new model provides Nikon's advanced 3D Color Matrix II metering technology, and an optical viewfinder with better-than-average, 95-percent frame coverage.
Sticking with Nikon's usual approach to its entry-level models, though, what you won't find is an in-body focusing motor, meaning AF is (as with the D40/D40X/D60) limited to newer Nikon lenses with lens-integrated motors.
Live view and the HD experience Nikon has opted to stick with the 720p/24fps HD video capture format that debuted in the D90 for its latest launch as well. Even without full 1080p video capture, however, the D5000 is still in a fairly exclusive club, and joins Canon's recently announced Rebel T1i as the only squarely consumer-oriented interchangeable lens cameras to allow video capture of any kind.
Video capture is made possible in part through the D5000's inclusion of live view – a technological first for Nikon's entry-level offering. Contrast-detection AF provides real-time, on-screen focusing while in live view mode, allowing users to take advantage of point-and-shoot style features like face detection and even a subject tracking mode while shooting stills.
Unfortunately, the D5000's four contrast-detection AF modes are limited to shooting stills only: you'll have to manually focus the camera when shooting movies.
While the D5000 may lack AF support for video, though, other now-standard video capture accessories – like an HDMI output, and a mono mic for capturing audio – have been included. The D5000 also allows shooters to take full advantage of the camera's Picture Control system in D-Movie mode as well as when shooting stills, meaning users can fine-tune the look and feel of their videos as well with processing presets like Vivid, Landscape, and Neutral.
Vari-angle LCD puts a new twist on swivel screens The fact that the D5000 packs a 2.7 inch LCD isn't particularly noteworthy in itself, but the fact that the display is mounted for tilt/swivel operation is definitely worth checking out.
Unlike any other camera – DSLR or point-and-shoot – that we're aware of, the D5000's 2.7 inch display provides full, 180-degree tilt/swivel functionality, but swings down (rather than sideways) to do so.
The creative benefits of this arrangement when shooting video, or taking advantage of the D5000's aforementioned live view options, are obvious.
Beyond this novel display, the D5000's interface shares most of its key elements in common with previous entry-level Nikon DSLRs. Similar in styling and size to its D60 predecessor, the D5000 eschews prosumer touches like a top-deck status LCD and a front-side control wheel in favor of a single point of access using the main display and back-panel controls.
Of course, while the D5000 offers Nikon's Scene Recognition System, 19 scene presets, and a host of other auto-exposure technologies, conventional P/A/S/M manual exposure modes give the user the option to take the photographic reigns.
Pricing and availability As anticipated, the D5000 will be available before the end of the month, priced at $849.95 for the kit with the 18-55mm VR lens, or $729.95 for the D5000 body only.
The Samsung NC20 is a 12.1" netbook and larger brother to the 10" NC10. The NC20 offers a larger nearly-full-size keyboard, large 6-cell battery, WXGA resolution display, and the VIA Nano platform. Since the last VIA-based netbook in our office was the Everex CloudBook with less than stellar performance, the biggest thought on our minds is if the VIA Nano can compete against the trusted Intel Atom platform. In this review we see how well it compares against its netbook brethren, and if it changes our thoughts about VIA processors in notebooks.
Samsung NC20 Specifications:
1.30GHz VIA Nano ULV U2250 (800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache)
1GB DDR2 SDRAM (2GB Max)
Windows XP Pro w/ SP3 (Ships with Windows XP Home)
Build and Design The design of the Samsung NC20 is very clean with a consistent color scheme inside and outside the netbook with a thin border of chrome around the edges. The pearlescent white on our review sample has the same almost-dirty appearance that the original ASUS Eee PC 701 had. I think a pure white looks better or even better would be going all black. The black configuration of the NC20 looks stunning from the samples I have seen and if I were buying one that would be my only choice.
Build quality is above average with durable feeling plastic throughout the body. Flex is minimal on the lower half of the notebook, usually an added perk of having such a thin frame packed with components. Flex under the keyboard structure is non-existent which adds a level of quality that you notice while typing. The screen lid has some minor flex that when squeezed shows some distortion on the panel.
User upgrades to the NC20 are limited to swapping out the RAM or hard drives. Samsung has a single panel on the bottom of the it that gives quick access to the hard drive bay and single memory slot. No “warranty void if removed” stickers were over the cover or screws.
Display The 12.1” WXGA display on the Samsung NC20 is above average compared to most notebooks. The LED-backlighting is very even across the screen with barely any backlight bleed around the edges. Image quality is excellent thanks to the glossy surface, with vibrant colors and nice contrast levels. Vertical viewing angles are average with a narrow viewing sweet spot where colors are not washing out or inverted. Horizontal viewing angles are better, staying true at steeper angles. Screen backlight brightness was good for viewing in a bright office setting, but you would be pushing the limits trying to use the NC20 outdoors on a sunny day.
Keyboard and Touchpad The Samsung NC20 has an almost-full-size keyboard that is comfortable to type on and very easy to transition to from larger notebooks. Compared to other netbooks the keyboard is very good, but notebooks still have an edge on it. Business notebooks in the 12-inch form factor have been able to incorporate completely full-size keyboards, but they are generally higher priced. Individual key action is smooth with no sound emitted when clicked. The ability to type covertly in a quiet classroom or office meeting could easily be added as another feature.
The NC20 offers a Synaptics touchpad that is nicely sized for a netbook. Measuring in at 2.75" x 1.63" it is larger than the touchpad on my Lenovo ThinkPad. The surface texture is a fine matte finish that is smooth to slide your finger across even if your hands are moist. Sensitivity is excellent once adjusted, since the default driver settings put the "PalmCheck" adjustment at max, which made movement very twitchy. The touchpad buttons are controlled through a bridged button that connected the left and right side. Feedback from it is shallow with a mild click noise when pressed.
Ports and Features Port selection is average compared to most netbooks on the market, offering three USB ports, VGA, LAN, audio jacks, and a 3-in-1 multi-card reader. With the increased real estate of the 12.1” frame I think Samsung could have easily fit an additional USB port on without any problems.
Front: Indicator lights and 3-in-1 multi-card reader
Rear: Screen hinge and battery
Left: LAN, one USB, VGA, and audio ports
Right: Two USB, AC power, Kensington lock slot, and power switch
Samsung includes an imitation-suede netbook sleeve with the NC20. It works very well to keep the netbook smudge and scratch-free during transportation, but does little to pad it from impacts. I like the suede appearance of it more than the neoprene slip cases, which have that Spandex-vibe.
Performance Compared to the last VIA-equipped netbook in our office the VIA Nano was a huge improvement. System performance of the NC20 was in-line with the Intel Atom platform, above in some areas and below in others. Day-to-day use the system handled tasks like web browsing or typing documents with ease. Entertainment use was limited to older games or less tasking modern games with the integrated graphics. Standard definition videos played smoothly without any hint of lag, but when you try to play HD movies the limits of the processor were noticed. Standard 720p x264 content played at 15-17FPS on scenes with little motion, but slowed down to 5-10FPS under panning or action. With enough tweaking HD content might be playable at full frame rates, but you would have to ask yourself if it would be worth it. In our synthetic benchmarks the VIA Nano platform scored lower in wPrime and PCMark05, but slightly higher under 3DMark06. Still nowhere near as fast as a full-size notebook with integrated graphics though.
wPrime processor comparison results (lower scores mean better performance):
Notebook / CPU
wPrime 32M time
Lenovo ThinkPad X200 (Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 @ 2.40GHz)
Samsung NC20 (1.30GHz VIA Nano ULV U2250, VIA Chrome9 HC3)
1,441 PCMarks
3DMark06 comparison results against netbooks @ 1024 x 768 resolution:
Notebook
3DMark06 Score
HP Pavilion dv2 (1.60GHz AMD Athlon Neo, ATI Radeon HD 3410 512MB)
1,520 3DMarks
ASUS N10 (1.60GHz Intel Atom, NVIDIA 9300M 256MB)
1,417 3DMarks
Samsung NC20 (1.30GHz VIA Nano ULV U2250, VIA Chrome9 HC3)
151 3DMarks
Acer Aspire One (1.60GHz Intel Atom, Intel GMA 950)
122 3DMarks
HP Mini 2140 (1.60GHz Intel Atom, Intel GM1 950)
118 3DMarks
ASUS Eee PC 1000HE (1.66GHz Intel Atom N280, Intel GMA 950)
92 3DMarks
Sony VAIO P (1.33GHz Intel Atom, Intel GMA 500, Windows Vista)
88 3DMarks
HDTune for the built-in hard drive:
Speakers Audio performance was limited by the small size of the drivers located on the bottom of the NC20. Bass and midrange were completely lacking and peak volume levels were under similarly sized notebooks. For viewing YouTube clips or watching streaming TV shows this might not be a problem, but I would still highly recommend a nice pair of headphones.
Battery Battery life was good compared to most notebooks, but when compared to the latest netbooks like the ASUS Eee PC 1000HE, it was hindered by the larger screen. The Samsung NC20 with the processor set to adaptive, screen brightness set to about 70%, and wireless active managed 5 hours and 55 minutes before it went into standby at 4% remaining. A larger battery would definitely improve the runtime, but then you would have to deal with an extended battery sticking out the bottom of the notebook to allow the screen to still pivot.
Heat and Noise Thermal performance is normal compared to other small netbooks, where the body tends to warm up over time, and develop some hot spots under heavy use. Under light activity temperatures around the palmrest and bottom of the notebook were within reasonable levels and very lap friendly. The left side of the palmrest was higher than the rest, which might be explained by a wireless card located in that region. Fan noise was minimal when browsing the web, but when you tasked the processor it would ramp up to whisper levels.
Conclusion The 12.1" Samsung NC20 is a netbook that is just on the fringe of being the same size as regular notebooks. It offers a large keyboard, higher resolution screen than most netbooks, and long battery life that you would expect from a ULV platform. With a retail price of $549 it is set to compete against the Dell Mini 12 and HP Pavilion dv2. Overall we were pleased with the performance from the VIA Nano platform, which was a massive step up from the lackluster performance of the older C7 we saw in the Everex CloudBook. My only complaint with our review sample was it not being the much better looking black model, but that can be easily fixed by buying that version instead.
