Nikon Zr is coming

[Danyyyel]

18 minutes ago, Davide DB 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.

Yep, Nikon sells like 700 000 cameras, and my guess RED only a few thousands at best. The economies of scale are enormous when you think the Expeed 7 processor is used in nearly all their models. 

[BTM_Pix]

4 hours ago, KnightsFan said:

I don't see a mention of timecode input

If it is the z6iii underneath then that has wireless timecode over BLE from the UltraSync/AirGlu eco system.

The specs of the ZR list that it has BLE but makes NO mention of it using it for UltraSync/AirGlu.

Weird if it didn’t have it but also if it does have it but they have left it off the specs.

I’m sure one of the many extensive in depth launch day reviews on YouTube will clarify it.

[BTM_Pix]

OK, I’ve managed to do spot it in a flash of a menu jn a non-related part of a ZR review.

They’ve gone for the weird to have it but then not mention it route.

[stephen]

Nikon Zr uses EXPEED 7 processor same that is in Z6 III, Z8, Z9, etc. Developing a new processor is quite expensive. This basically means that Z6 III, Z8, Z9 also could receive  R3D NE and LUT support via firmware update. If this happens Z6 III and Z8 will be better choices as hybrid cameras. Lets see if Nikon will do this or will keep  R3D NE exclusive to Zr and future Cinema cameras. I am also interested to see how R3D NE compares to NRAW. Nikon Zr is a cool camera but agree with others - it is a strange animal. Part vlogging similar to Sony ZV-E1 part cinema camera. 

[Ilkka Nissila]

17 minutes ago, BTM_Pix said:

OK, I’ve managed to do spot it in a flash of a menu jn a non-related part of a ZR review.

They’ve gone for the weird to have it but then not mention it route.

All the Expeed 7 cameras have it so it is expected in this model as well, no need to mention a standard feature I guess.

[BTM_Pix]

49 minutes ago, Ilkka Nissila said:

All the Expeed 7 cameras have it so it is expected in this model as well, no need to mention a standard feature I guess

I’m not convinced that the processor type is the first port of call when someone is wondering whether a camera  supports BLE time code.

Particularly when they aren’t au fait with recent Nikon releases.

Having said that, they DO actually list it on the spec tucked away in other options so I was wrong anyway.

[zerocool22]

Looks like a nice camera, looking forward to some side by sides with the c50, fx3 and s1ii. AF with adapters, AF with native glass, ibis, colour, dr, battery life.

[ND64]

27 minutes ago, zerocool22 said:

Looks like a nice camera, looking forward to some side by sides with the c50, fx3 and s1ii. AF with adapters, AF with native glass, ibis, colour, dr, battery life.

ZR's DR is worst among these four. IBIS in the middle, color arguably the best, AF with native lens is good enough, and okeyish with adapter.

[Django]

There are some great things in this camera: R3D code, huge screen, 32-bit float audio, IBIS etc but then some real head scratchers like the micro sd, micro HDMI, battery card slot, no fan, no open gate and overall confusion with the dual color sciences that indeed makes this a Frankenstein camera. Clearly feels like a first gen collab product. I think I'll wait to see the next iteration but it's still very encouraging and solid effort. 

[Ilkka Nissila]

43 minutes ago, BTM_Pix said:

I’m not convinced that the processor type is the first port of call when someone is wondering whether a camera  supports BLE time code.

Right, but for those of us familiar with other Nikon products and their video-related features, we can guess that the feature would be supported in the ZR. For people who are not already users of other recent-generation Nikons, it may be unclear which features are in fact supported until the manuals actually show up online. In fact some features can't be found even in the manuals.

[ND64]

RED's bullshitting about DR infiltrated Nikon. No way this chart translates to reality. Gerald's imatest result and CVP's latitude test shows the useable DR is way less than this

[Andrew Reid]

24 minutes ago, Django said:

There are some great things in this camera: R3D code, huge screen, 32-bit float audio, IBIS etc but then some real head scratchers like the micro sd, micro HDMI, battery card slot, no fan, no open gate and overall confusion with the dual color sciences that indeed makes this a Frankenstein camera. Clearly feels like a first gen collab product. I think I'll wait to see the next iteration but it's still very encouraging and solid effort. 

Well, Nikon have come a long way in 10 years since the D750 at least.

R3D, a proper screen, 32bit float, IBIS all very welcome as you say.

But Nikon should have made a much bigger splash with the first Cinema Z camera.

It should have been a cutting edge flagship at a really aggressive price.

Instead they have gone with what is practically a point & shoot camera.

It fits the philosophy of the "DSLR video revolution" though doesn't it? Cheap (by today's norm), small, light, cinematic image quality, great codec and hybrid photo/video features.

Micro SD and HDMI is idiotic though.

[MrSMW]

4 hours ago, newfoundmass said:

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

Ditto.

I see this new Zr as more comparable with the S9 than anything else within the Lumix lineup.

It’s build by all reports is a notch up and the rear LCD on another level.

It’s a ‘red cinema colour’ Nikon camera though rather than ‘RED in a Nikon body’.

I like it and would have one if I was in the Nikon ecosystem, but nothing I’d switch to or build a system around.

And as a 50:50 hybrid shooter, vs the S1Rii, it’s not even a conversation.

[Marcio Kabke Pinheiro]

Nikon cornered themselves with nomenclatures in this one.

They wanted to make a first RED semibranded product to buzz the market. But at the same time, they want a piece of the VERY profitable "creator camera" market (the Sony ZV-E10s sells a boatload). And got the Zr stucked in the middle.

This is not a "cinema camera". Is a ZV-E1 competitor / step up ZV-E10 camera, compared it (and Nikon is promoting it) to the FXs is a mistake.

If you see it as a top "creator camera" or a B-cam / crahs cam for REDs, it makes more more sense. And is an amazing value - if fact, for amateurs like me, it is one of the most interesting cameras of the year.

I hate cameras without EVFs, but with a 4 inch display, for the first time it could be acceptable. It have a af joystick. It have internal 32 bit audio without adapters - amazing for shotguns use. It will make a lot of people to wet their feet on REDCODE (even a lesser version of it). Is small and light, great for gimbal work if needed.

Compared to a ZV-E1 for $100 more, it trounces it completely. And we have to see how is the overheating issues, but it could yes be used (albeit with compromises) in pro shooting.

And if Nikon makes a hybrid camera with this form factor, they would get a new customer instantly.

[Davide DB]

I saw the loooong CVP review but if you want a review in a nutshell, this time GU is spot on:

 

 

[Danyyyel]

36 minutes ago, ND64 said:

RED's bullshitting about DR infiltrated Nikon. No way this chart translates to reality. Gerald's imatest result and CVP's latitude test shows the useable DR is way less than this

Where did you get these. In the gerald Undone test, the DR imatest test, it around the 12.5, which is about the good/middle ground.  

[BTM_Pix]

I like this camera.

The problem is I like about twelve other ones as well.

The indecision is saving me a fortune.

 

[Danyyyel]

1 hour ago, Andrew Reid said:

Well, Nikon have come a long way in 10 years since the D750 at least.

R3D, a proper screen, 32bit float, IBIS all very welcome as you say.

But Nikon should have made a much bigger splash with the first Cinema Z camera.

It should have been a cutting edge flagship at a really aggressive price.

Instead they have gone with what is practically a point & shoot camera.

It fits the philosophy of the "DSLR video revolution" though doesn't it? Cheap (by today's norm), small, light, cinematic image quality, great codec and hybrid photo/video features.

Micro SD and HDMI is idiotic though.

My guess, they didn't want to kill their RED brand. It would also have cost minimum, 5000+ USD to 10 000 USD, and not many Nikon shooters could have afforded this. I would have liked a bit better spec even with a more costly body. But in the end, this will be found in a lot of Nikon shooter camera bag, as a secondary or third body for professional. And it would become their primary body for video. For photographers, 5000 USD is already flagship level camera bodies.

This is also the ultimate content creator camera, people might not care or even despise it, but it is a big market. Nikon has loss so much market share, and more importantly in the younger demographic, that it might revive a new generation of shooters for the company. It is a bit of a jack of all trade, from someone who would just pick the camera and either film himself or do some content filming some dancers or skaters. To someone rigging it and going to shoot a doc or a short film. 

[Django]

Yeah I can't help but feel that Jarred tweeting "the Nikon ZR is not a replacement for any RED camera" gives the indication  RED team wanted to protect their line and purposely not give the ZR too many pro features like redundancy recording, open gate, active cooling, proper I/O and media storage. Also the 12-bit non linear R3D code. I guess its all fair trade and still nice to see a $2K camera with REDCODE inside.. but now Nikon has a cine line to protect which may hinder them/us paradoxically.. 

I feel like Canon gave us the real surprise and actual FX3 competitor by not holding back on specs and in quite a few ways surpassing the more expensive C80/C400 (although I hear C400 will get open gate in an update).

ZR is still a banger even if we were expecting a more pro body and Nikon is being very agressive on pricing.

[eatstoomuchjam]

6 hours ago, ntblowz said:

I feel like this is a supercharged version of Sigma Fp

I think that's why I like it!

I loved the fp because it was so small, but I ended up resenting it because using the best codecs involved adding an external SSD which would end up with a camera that was bigger and more awkward to use than my R5.

Internal raw recording and a flippy screen makes this perfect for an everyday carry camera, especially combined with some of the smaller M mount glass (Collapsible 50/2, Elmar 35) and it also should be easier to mount on the inside of a windshield than the R5 since it looks a little less wide.