Nikon Reveals ZR with RED Integration and 6K Capture
Nikon has officially announced the ZR, its first dedicated cinema camera developed in collaboration with RED, following Nikon’s acquisition of the company in early 2024. The ZR is a compact, full-frame video camera for professional use, offering a new RAW video format, updated workflow features and integrated audio technologies not previously available in this segment.
“We aren’t holding anything back — our first Nikon camera developed with RED has all the creative controls that filmmakers need, with features that have never been seen in this level of handheld cinema camera,” Fumiko Kawabata, Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Planning, at Nikon Inc., says. “The Nikon ZR is the camera that will challenge the established video market and will demonstrate Nikon’s commitment to advancing the tools available to video production professionals.”
The camera is built around a 24.5-megapixel, partially stacked CMOS sensor, the same as in the Nikon Z6 III, with dual native ISO values of 800 and 6400 in Log3G10. Nikon states that the sensor provides over 15 stops of dynamic range, with fast readout designed to reduce rolling shutter, and it is paired with Nikon’s 5-axis in-body image stabilization system. Physical design follows a compact, box-like form factor with a magnesium alloy chassis, weather sealing and a weight of about 630 grams. Active cooling is not included; instead, Nikon relies on passive heat dissipation.
Although still photography is supported, video capture is the primary focus. The ZR records internally in multiple formats, including Nikon’s N-RAW, Apple ProRes RAW, ProRes 422 HQ, H.265, H.264 and a new format called R3D NE. This codec is derived from RED’s REDCODE RAW, carrying RED’s color science and allowing compatibility with RED’s LUTs. In R3D NE and N-RAW, recording is possible up to 6K at 60 frames per second and 4K up to 120 fps, while other formats are limited to lower resolutions or frame rates. Moreover, the camera supports four gamma options: Log3G10, N-Log, HLG, and SDR.
The ZR omits an electronic viewfinder in favor of a 4-inch, 3.07-million-dot vari-angle LCD with a peak brightness of 1000 nits and DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. The camera allows loading of up to ten 3D LUTs for monitoring during production.
Audio features are a distinctive aspect of the ZR: it is in cat the first full-frame mirrorless or cinema camera to support fully internal 32-bit float audio recording. Three integrated microphones use Nokia’s OZO Audio system, with selectable pickup patterns and a claimed 72 dB signal-to-noise ratio. External audio is supported through 3.5 mm jacks, line input and the digital accessory shoe. Nikon has also introduced the ME-D10 shotgun microphone, compatible with the new shoe and 32-bit float recording, available separately.
Autofocus is powered by the EXPEED 7 processor and uses AI-based subject detection. The system tracks people, animals, vehicles and planes, with customizable AF speed and sensitivity. Other functions include focus breathing compensation, high-resolution digital zoom, timecode support, shutter angle adjustment from 5.6° to 360° and electronic vibration reduction. Proxy recording, slow-motion presets and Frame.io Camera to Cloud integration via NX MobileAir are also supported.
The camera records to CFexpress Type B cards and has a secondary microSD slot, which is primarily intended for LUTs, settings or limited stills recording rather than high-bitrate video. Connectivity options include USB-C (USB 3.2), micro HDMI and 3.5 mm audio jacks. A tally light is integrated into the body.
