Nikon Zr is coming

[eatstoomuchjam]

Looks like the video got pulled, but NikonRumors summarized some stuff:

Quote

no Open Gate Gate

no overheating

Micro HDMI

Price for camera only: $2,100

At $2,100, it's a much, much more interesting option than it was at $2,600.

[ND64]

I managed to see the whole video. He was saying colors looks like RED colors, but R3D fidelity is not there. Of course because its 12bit and not 16bit. Also the image is as noisy as Z6iii. He loves the large screen tho.

[ND64]

CVP guys are excited too

 

[eatstoomuchjam]

12 minutes ago, ND64 said:

I managed to see the whole video. He was saying colors looks like RED colors, but R3D fidelity is not there. Of course because its 12bit and not 16bit. Also the image is as noisy as Z6iii. He loves the large screen tho.

I guess I'll be curious to compare it with the OG Komodo.  Its dynamic range is really nothing to write home about.  It's some of the best DR I've seen from a global sensor, and definitely better than the E2-S6G - but compared with other cameras that I have which do 12-bit raw like the Ronin 4D, it is definitely not better and grading doesn't seem that much smoother either.
(Komodo-X is a lot better)

Also, a noisy image in raw partly just tells me that the manufacturer isn't baking it in - and I'm pretty OK with that.

[Danyyyel]

24 minutes ago, ND64 said:

I managed to see the whole video. He was saying colors looks like RED colors, but R3D fidelity is not there. Of course because its 12bit and not 16bit. Also the image is as noisy as Z6iii. He loves the large screen tho.

Man, his review was a bit of a preview with very little detail. No hating because he had very little time, but comparing images in full sunny day and cloudy day is not very conclusive. For example, we know that they have a new hotshoe that seems to have an audio link. 

[KnightsFan]

What a bizarre camera. R3D, but dinky micro HDMI. 32 bit float audio, but no XLR module. I'd consider this one the most egregious misuse of a "cinema" moniker of the recent releases. The card slots are on the bottom--have fun getting to those when it's on a tripod. I don't see a mention of timecode input. The only reason I would even call it a video camera is that, without an EVF, it's useless for photography.

Edit: and yes, I realize it's relatively cheap, I'm not exactly saying it's a bad value, just contradictory in some ways

[ND64]

30 minutes ago, KnightsFan said:

but no XLR module

Tascam will have one

[eatstoomuchjam]

Official announcement: https://www.nikon.com/company/news/2025/0910_imaging_01.html

Quote

The ZR, equipped with a full-frame sensor, features R3D NE*1, a new video recording file format based on RED's R3D RAW video recording codec and developed exclusively for Nikon cameras. It uses color science and exposure standards of RED cameras to ensure accurate color matching. Furthermore, it offers two base ISO sensitivities, ISO 800 and ISO 6400*2, and a broad dynamic range of 15+ stops*3 to deliver the ultimate in image quality in a variety of situations. Internal recording of up to 6K/59.94p video is also supported.

Redcode NE?

[ND64]

Wish it had external SSD recording. How you're supposed to change the CFe card in this setup?

[KnightsFan]

4 minutes ago, ND64 said:

Tascam will have one

Is that official? I didn't see it mentioned in the Newsshooter article or Nikon's site, though there is that one picture. If so then I guess at least that one is solved for.

[pat]

Nikon Zr

That's it, the real news is here.
So it's definitely the Z6III sensor (6K), there's Redcode, BUT it's a 12-bit version (instead of 16), the extension is different (.R3D NE... "Nikon Edition"?), and you can't choose the compression. However, it comes with 3G10 Log (where you can shoot N-Log in N-Raw and other modes).
There's NO fan, you can only shoot in 16:9 (no Open Gate, no 17:9), the camera menus are the same as usual for Nikon (so no RED menus), and there's no anamorphic support either.
32-bit float sound compatibility (with external accessories), there's IBIS, and a 4-inch screen (that's more convenient!).
Finally, the media: CF Express and microSD (so the rumor was wrong about SD instead of CF Express Type B).

 no ventilation, which is bound to be a problem in the long term.
It's a big disappointment that the menus remain the same or that we don't have the option of more adequate measuring tools (especially RED's GioScopes).

[eatstoomuchjam]

$2,200 at B&H.

The memory card placement is definitely funky, and the rumored micro sd second slot is real (why, Nikon, why?), but for me, I think this camera really nails the form factor and the price point.  My question will be whether to trade for a new one in October when they ship or wait a bit for the first wave of returns/sales to hit.

Even though it uses a lesser Redcode, the size of this camera is a perfect match for Leica M glass and full frame makes it a better match for that glass than my Komodo/Komodo-X.  Just wish it had any sort of internal ND to make it easier to use some of my beloved Leica lenses that don't easily take filters (like the 35/3.5).

Also, any of the pictures showing it in a full rig sort of boggle my mind.  It kind of plays against the strengths of a super tiny raw-shooting video camera with a big, beautiful rotating internal screen. 

[ntblowz]

I feel like this is a supercharged version of Sigma Fp

[MrSMW]

Between the two, the new Canon and this, obviously if you are in the Canon ecosystem or with Nikon, the choice is obvious, providing either of these things can do what you need them to do.

I think they both look the part, but neither of them really suit my needs so still perfectly happy I went full Lumix, and even if they had been Captain Amazeballs, I still wouldn't have jumped.

If I had gone for one of them, I'd have gone the Nikon route, but only if I'd stayed within the Nikon body, adapted E Mount glass camp where I partially previously was.

I am happy they exist even if they don't tick all my boxes.

[Davide DB]

For the aforementioned reasons I would call it a Frankenstein release.

First try in the pure video centric camera market. Regardless of the marketing monstrous rigs showed, this camera is a pro v-logging tool and essentially a naked run&gun kit. 

Internal 32 bit audio and ibis are the key points and let's see if Nikon was able to solve its issue with that sensor as Lumix did.

[newfoundmass]

I think this is a really compelling camera, especially for the price, BUT the card slot on the bottom, lack of active cooling, and no back up recording is really disappointing. 

The screen is very cool, though. I really hope more cameras come with larger, brighter screens like this. 

If I was choosing between the C50 and the ZR I think I'd go with the ZR on price alone, but also because of IBIS.

Overall though, I'm pretty content with my Lumix S5IIX and two S5s set up. None of these releases have made me feel like I'm missing out. 

[Ninpo33]

[Davide DB]

17 minutes ago, Ninpo33 said:

 

That's exactly why they started with an "entry-level" camera. They are re-implementing their algorithms in Nikon's processors and hardware, which are cheaper and more efficient (it wasn't hard to figure that out, given the economies of scale).

We should also expect big news regarding other Red features, such as the integration of a global shutter sensor. I imagine that the process will then be a two-way street. A future Red camera will have Nikon processors and technology.

[Davide DB]

34 minutes ago, newfoundmass said:

I think this is a really compelling camera, especially for the price, BUT the card slot on the bottom, lack of active cooling, and no back up recording is really disappointing. 

The screen is very cool, though. I really hope more cameras come with larger, brighter screens like this. 

If I was choosing between the C50 and the ZR I think I'd go with the ZR on price alone, but also because of IBIS.

Overall though, I'm pretty content with my Lumix S5IIX and two S5s set up. None of these releases have made me feel like I'm missing out. 

This camera is using the same S1II sensor and Lumix was able to squeeze a lot from it. More than Nikon.
So, what is Lumix missing to make a camera similar to the C50/Zr?

Nothing.

[Chrille]

This camera checks many of the right boxes for me. First of all i am bit tired of the Sony colours. 

+ small

+ can use sony glass

+ 6K

+ i like the design

- micro hdmi

- button layout

It's strange how these companies navigate the market with serious hobbyiests on the one side and big companies on the other side ( who do not really care wether the cam costs 3 or 5 k). 

Main question for me: Is it fun to use? Does it have the mojo? Will my live be cinematic?