Nikon ZR Debuts: A Groundbreaking Fusion of Nikon and RED Cinema Technology
Revolutionary Cinema Camera Launch
Nikon Corporation has announced the release of the ZR, a full-frame sensor camera and the smallest model in the Z CINEMA series, designed for cinema, high-end productions and creators.
Technical Specifications and Features
The ZR comes equipped with a full-frame sensor and features R3D NE, a new video recording file format based on RED’s R3D RAW video recording codec developed exclusively for Nikon cameras. It utilizes color science and exposure standards of RED cameras to ensure accurate color matching.
The camera supports internal recording of 12-bit RAW 6K/59.94p and 4K/119.88p video. It offers two base ISO sensitivities – ISO 800 and ISO 6400 – allowing users to choose the best option for specific scenes. The camera achieves well-balanced image quality from highlights to shadows with its broad 15+ stop dynamic range.
Design and Accessibility
The ZR is being positioned as an ultra-lightweight, full-frame camera that blends the best technologies and philosophies from both NIKON and RED. It’s aimed at emerging cinematographers and high-end content producers as an entry-level digital cinema camera.
Market Position and Availability
The Nikon ZR Cinema Camera will be available in late October 2025, with a body-only price of $2,199.95 USD, making it very competitively priced. While the camera might serve as many people’s first RED product, it will also function as a useful B or C-cam for shooters already in the RED ecosystem. The camera records 12-bit Log3G10 files in RedWideGamutRGB, and these RAW files can be adjusted in REDCINE-X Pro, integrating seamlessly with RED’s other cameras due to the shared color science.
Future Implications
Nikon and RED are committed to meeting a wide range of needs in film production with an extensive lineup of cinema-oriented products under the Z CINEMA series. This camera represents a significant opportunity for both content creators looking to enhance their video-making capabilities and filmmakers seeking a portable all-in-one mirrorless powerhouse.
