Nikon Zr is coming

[ND64]

Nikon's own NRAW supports up to 20:1 compression ratio. But its very unlikely they do that. Its a h.265 All-I camera.

[Danyyyel]

Yes, it seems that Nikon has really decided to go entry level camera. I don't even know the market they are aiming at, because the z6iii or even Z5ii might have better internal video specs than the ZR because of the rumored SD/MicroSd cards in the Zr. Unless they are selling lower than 2000 USD, I can't see it selling that much. Nikon users like me already have better specked camera than what we know now about the Zr. And I can't see vloggers/content creators putting more than 2k in a camera. 

[eatstoomuchjam]

If somehow the "Red tech" is Redcode and the rumors are wrong and that it has a CF Express, this could be a big seller (and interesting to me).  But yeah, those things look increasingly unlikely.  Still, Nikon Raw to SD card could be compelling, depending on other features/specs/price.

The big question, really, is how much Nikon want to preserve Red as a "premium" brand vs trying to make Nikon a name that people associate with cinema/video.

[Danyyyel]

2 hours ago, eatstoomuchjam said:

If somehow the "Red tech" is Redcode and the rumors are wrong and that it has a CF Express, this could be a big seller (and interesting to me).  But yeah, those things look increasingly unlikely.  Still, Nikon Raw to SD card could be compelling, depending on other features/specs/price.

The big question, really, is how much Nikon want to preserve Red as a "premium" brand vs trying to make Nikon a name that people associate with cinema/video.

They can do both, or so I thought. I mean, I thought this camera would be the RED camera for Nikon users. That is the lower end of the Cinema cameras (FX3) that would fit in the budget and size for Nikon enthusiast and pros. And then as Sony, they could have a RED Komodo based on the Sony FX6 body style and specs etc. for more pro video level. They are 4.8 billions turnover company vs RED 160 millions. So they just need RED to be some kind of Brand for them as a serious video brands and don't even need RED to be profitable. With the new Raptor X global shutter, RED is scoring some of the biggest movies in Hollywood, like the latest Superman and Tron. 

[ND64]

Nikon defines pro/prosumer/consumer segments by sensor tech and range of physical controls. Maybe they don't see Z6III sensor belonging to pro segment. 

[mercer]

Updated specs from Nikon Runors...

Here are the latest/updated Nikon Zr cinema camera specifications:

24MP partially stacked sensor

Dynamic range: +15 stops (RED system)

Very large LCD screen: 4″ LCD screen, 3.07m dots, 1000nits

6K (intra-frame compression)

Many features and tech from RED will be incorporated inside

RED internal up to 6K 60p

N-Raw/Prores Raw/Prores 422hq

Smart hot shoe (for external EVF I assume, based on  the leaked pictures)

Image stabilization

1 CFexpress Type B and 1 microSD card slots

Dimensions: 133 x 80 x 48 mm

Weight: 540g

Pricing based on Euro conversions should be around $2,600-$3,750 – keep in mind that this range also includes some lens kit options

Brick-shaped, video-oriented design, without pentaprism and EVF – a combination of the current RED models design, the Sony FX3, and the Nikon Z30 (we already know that from the leaked pictures)

Announcement tonight around midnight EDT

https://nikonrumors.com/2025/09/09/nikon-zr-cinema-camera-specifications.aspx/

[mercer]

If the pricing is at the lower end, it would be a tempting purchase. As much as I have been enjoying my FP and GH6, both are nowhere to go systems for me. Not really interested in L Mount or m4/3 for the long haul.

I really enjoyed shooting with my borrowed R7 and was considering picking up an R50v with the goal to sell and save up for a C50 but since that lacks both IBIS AND internal NDs, it seems slightly overpriced for my needs.

I guess we'll see in a few hours about the ZR. So far, I like what I'm seeing. Lots of Raw and ProRes options and hopefully some form of RedCode.

[ND64]

What the F happened?

[eatstoomuchjam]

So it would be a camera with the Z6 III sensor, but a smaller body that includes Redcode for... the same price as the Z6 III?  Cool story, Nikon.  Cool story.

I'll be interested to see test results for it and would consider it once it's available used.

[Andrew Reid]

WOW they finally did it... A world beyond the 3.5" LCD exists!!!

If it is cheap and does REDCODE 6K to CFexpress then it's game on.

[Andrew Reid]

Btw I think it's a strange first Nikon RED launch product.

They don't seem to understand marketing.

The first camera with RED tech should be higher-end than this, a statement.

Instead they've gone and done a YouTube camera.

It'll be interesting to see whether the volume of sales to content cretins makes up for the devaluation of RED's brand.

It's not really a cinema camera... maybe it's 2025's answer to the Blackmagic Pocket OG?

[ND64]

5 minutes ago, Andrew Reid said:

REDCODE 6K to CFexpress

I'm still skeptical about this one. Both RED recording and NRAW mentioned in the new rumor. Why should they give both internally? Maybe something lost in translation again.

[mercer]

Weirdly, Red announced a new Raptor where you can choose between RF or ZF mounts...

[Danyyyel]

1 hour ago, mercer said:

If the pricing is at the lower end, it would be a tempting purchase. As much as I have been enjoying my FP and GH6, both are nowhere to go systems for me. Not really interested in L Mount or m4/3 for the long haul.

I really enjoyed shooting with my borrowed R7 and was considering picking up an R50v with the goal to sell and save up for a C50 but since that lacks both IBIS AND internal NDs, it seems slightly overpriced for my needs.

I guess we'll see in a few hours about the ZR. So far, I like what I'm seeing. Lots of Raw and ProRes options and hopefully some form of RedCode.

I think the 2600 is the body only price. Because he says "keep in mind that this range also includes some lens kit options". 

[Danyyyel]

6 minutes ago, Andrew Reid said:

Btw I think it's a strange first Nikon RED launch product.

They don't seem to understand marketing.

The first camera with RED tech should be higher-end than this, a statement.

Instead they've gone and done a YouTube camera.

It'll be interesting to see whether the volume of sales to content cretins makes up for the devaluation of RED's brand.

It's not really a cinema camera... maybe it's 2025's answer to the Blackmagic Pocket OG?

I think with the CFexpress card and many raw format in including it seems REdcode, it is no more a youtube camera, which I also thought before with the SD/MicroSd card rumor's. If they do what Panasonic did with the same sensor as the S1ii, we could get a very good camera. I sincerely hope did the later, as it would 1 to 1.5 stop of exposure latitude than for example the Canon C50. 

[Davide DB]

5 minutes ago, Danyyyel said:

I sincerely hope did the later, as it would 1 to 1.5 stop of exposure latitude than for example the Canon C50.

I gave a quick look at the CVP review and it seems the S1 II has more exp latitude than the C50. Especially underexposed.

Anyway I'm still skeptical about those raw codecs without a fan. 

[Danyyyel]

27 minutes ago, mercer said:

Weirdly, Red announced a new Raptor where you can choose between RF or ZF mounts...

They just don't want to alienate their customers. The people or rental companies that bought 30 000 to 40 000 USD camera and system, will be pissed if their investment is gone in days. They are already offering Canon to Nikon Z mount swapping, and my guess it will take at least 5 years or a total change. 

[eatstoomuchjam]

52 minutes ago, mercer said:

Weirdly, Red announced a new Raptor where you can choose between RF or ZF mounts...

Sort of a new Raptor.  It's just a reduced/cheaper version of the existing V-Raptor.  It's basically the same as Komodo vs Komodo-X.  At $15,000, it's still awfully expensive, but at least it helps them stay competitive with the UC 12K pricing-wise.  I suspect that with some of the other recent releases, the number of people willing to go spend $30k on a V-Raptor X isn't huge, a very small number of Hollywood productions notwithstanding.

 

56 minutes ago, ND64 said:

I'm still skeptical about this one. Both RED recording and NRAW mentioned in the new rumor. Why should they give both internally? Maybe something lost in translation again.

Why shouldn't they?  They own both codecs and now they can tell people that it's a camera you can use as a B camera to your Z9 or it's a camera that you can use as a B Cam to your Komodo-X or V-Raptor (or crash cam) and have it fit neatly into both workflows.

 

1 hour ago, Andrew Reid said:

If it is cheap and does REDCODE 6K to CFexpress then it's game on.

This is where I am, but $2,600 isn't "cheap" for me.  Sub-$2k, though, and I'm starting to pay attention.  Since that won't happen, I'm probably in the "wait 6 months and pick it up used" camp.

[ND64]

So according to the youube review: no full size HDMI. No DR boost like S1ii, and the R3D codec is 12bit, not supported by Davinci yet.

[eatstoomuchjam]

BTW, @Andrew Reid - which Epic are you selling?  There were several (Epic M-X 5K and Epic Dragon 6K in DSMC1 and Epic-W Gemini 5K and Epic Helium 8K in DSMC2 - with monochrome variants of all of the above).  If it's a monochrome or maybe a Gemini, let's talk.  😃