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Nikon ZR Cinema Camera First Look Review

Nikon has entered the exclusive pro video camera market with the launch of the Nikon ZR Cinema Camera. This is the first dedicated body, which is so heavily focused on video from Nikon (although it does capture stills), arriving as the result of their 2024 acquisition of RED Digital Cinema.

Nikon ZR First Look Video Review - Hands On With Nikon's First Z Cinema Camera

By combining Nikon’s imaging technology with RED’s colour science and RAW formats, the ZR is a compact but highly capable camera that aims to fill a niche for independent creators and professional production teams.

It brings industry firsts, such as 32-bit float audio recording built directly into the body, as well boasting a class-leading 4-inch LCD monitor, which is bright and colour accurate. The camera arrives with same 24.5MP partially stacked full-frame sensor found in the Z6 III, enabling fast readout speeds, reduced rolling shutter and excellent autofocus tracking, which makes complete sense for a video camera of this kind.

Video formats cover everything from H.264 through to 12-bit R3D NE, N-RAW and ProRes RAW, giving flexibility across a wide range of workflows. With RED technology integrated into Nikon’s Cinema system, the ZR is already being referred to as the “RED Z,” and looks set to deliver cinematic quality in a far more accessible package than RED’s own dedicated cinema models.

With the announcement hot off the press, you’ll be wondering when you can get your hands on the ZR and how much it will cost. Let’s find out next.

Nikon ZR Release Date and UK Price

The Nikon ZR launched on 10th September 2025, which is significant as Nikon’s first step into dedicated video cameras. Pricing is £2,199.00, which is very competitive and lower than the Z6 III.

With that out of the way, let’s look closely at who RED is and how this partnership has come about.

RED and Nikon Collaborate

The ZR is the first camera to launch since Nikon acquired RED in 2024, and it integrates several areas of expertise. Nikon brings their experience in sensors, optics and autofocus, while RED contributes respected colour science, advanced RAW compression formats and a background in high-end cinema production. Movies like Tron, Superman and Conclave have been shot on RED, which are among many others that most of us will have heard of.

The result is a professional video camera that combines Nikon’s speed, usability and portability with RED’s cinematic workflow. It’s also why the ZR is affectionately referred to as the “RED Z,” and why it offers professional formats such as R3D NE next to more familiar features like hybrid autofocus and focus point VR stabilisation.

By combining these technologies, Nikon has made their first cinema body that is not only compact, but also capable of working alongside RED V-Raptor or Komodo X as a compact B-camera with matched colours.

Next let’s look at the video features, which set this apart.

Video Performance and Recording Options

The ZR features a 24.5MP partially stacked full-frame sensor and Nikon’s EXPEED 7 processor, which are proven to deliver fast readout speeds and reduce the effects of rolling shutter. The sensor captures up to 6K video at up to 60p in RAW, 4K at 120p RAW and Full HD at 240p for smooth slow-motion playback.

Filmmakers have the choice of seven in-camera recording formats, ranging from highly compressed 8-bit H.264 and H.265, through to professional-level 12-bit RAW for billions of colours and endless post processing latitude.

These include R3D NE, N-RAW and ProRes RAW, which can provide up to 68 billion colours and the flexibility to match RED workflows whenever needed. For less demanding projects, ProRes 422 HQ and H.265 10-bit offer a commonly seen balance of quality and manageable file sizes.

Dynamic range is equally impressive, with Dual Base ISO at 800 and 6400 that enables up to 15 stops of DR across highlights and shadows. Add to this a selection of cinematic presets and support for user LUTs, and the ZR is able to deliver a streamlined workflow from capture through to post.

Audio Quality

Sound is equally important for solo creators and larger teams, and Nikon has revolutionised the industry with the first ever body to feature in-camera 32-bit float audio recording. This captures a far greater audio range, so you can record quiet and loud sounds without worrying about clipping or distortion, and then recover or boost detail during post-production, entirely without introducing noise.

The ZR includes three built-in MEMS microphones, which work with Nokia’s OZO audio technology. There are five selectable pickup patterns and immersive stereo capture, and the in-camera mics achieve a 72 dB signal-to-noise ratio, which is suitable for everything from interviews and dialogue to ambient sound.

For more advanced audio an external microphone can be connected, and Nikon has also released their first ever digital-shoe mic, the Shotgun Microphone ME-D10. This supports 32-bit float recording and delivers a 77 dB signal-to-noise ratio, adding even more flexibility to how audio is captured in-camera.

Whether you’re shooting solo with no external kit, or as part of a production team with multiple audio sources, the ZR is capable of delivering professional sound without the need for a separate recorder, which is also the case with the large touchscreen, which we look at next.

Ergonomics and Handling

One of the first things you notice about the ZR is the large rear screen. Nikon has included a 4-inch LCD with 3.07 million dots and brightness rated at 1000 cd/m², which is currently the largest and brightest monitor in its class. Colour accuracy covers DCI-P3, and the display works in both horizontal and vertical orientations, which is perfect for creators who capture both horizontal and vertical social content. You can still add a video monitor if you prefer, but it isn’t a necessity.

The body design is also very streamlined and weighs just 540g without a battery and memory cards, or 630g with them, balancing size for handholding or rigging, with great usability. A dedicated photo/video switch, zoom lever, and large record button sit next to well positioned top-plate switches, while a simplified rear panel is dominated by that bright 4-inch screen.

Nikon has also given the ZR video-specific controls such as precise shutter angle adjustment, which ranges from 5.6º through to 360º. This allows you to stick to a cinematic 180º setting for natural motion blur, or experiment with stylised looks depending on the project. The fanless design is another advantage of the new body design, which enables very quiet operation while still allowing up to 125 minutes of continuous recording on external power.

Advanced Autofocus and in-Body Stabilisation

Nikon has ported technology from the mirrorless Z camera range for the Z R’s focusing system, giving it the same AI-driven subject detection and tracking that photographers and hybrid creators are familiar with. The hybrid phase-detect and contrast AF system covers 90% x 90% of the sensor, with 273 focus points in stills mode.

More importantly for video, it can lock onto subjects in light as low as -10 EV, which can help maintain sharp footage even in very low light.

The camera recognises nine subject types, including people and pets to vehicles, trains and aircraft. Nikon’s eye tracking is extremely reliable even if the subject is small in the frame, wearing glasses, or momentarily turns away, which gives you a lot more confidence when shooting subjects that move around the frame.

Stabilisation is just as advanced with Nikon’s 5-axis VR that compensates for pitch, yaw, roll, and horizontal or vertical movements. This is of course very useful for handheld or run-and-gun content. The camera has Focus Point VR technology, a system first seen in the Z F that prioritises stabilisation directly on the focus point, with up to 7.5 stops of VR exactly where it matters most.

Comprehensive Lens Options

Thanks to the wide Z mount the ZR benefits from Nikon’s range of high quality native mirrorless lenses, which already include some excellent video options. The Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ Zoom Lens offers power zoom functionality with smooth control, and is especially suited for filmmaking.

For those who prefer primes, lenses like the Z 35mm f/1.4 and the Z 50mm f/1.8 S deliver sharp results with pleasing background separation, fast autofocus and smooth aperture changes. The Z system continues to expand too, with Nikkor own-brand and third party options frequently arriving, giving filmmakers the choice of everything from smaller portable lenses to large professional f/1.2 primes with sublime subject separation. You can also use the FTZ II adapter, which opens up Nikon’s F-mount DSLR range, while third-party brands such as Laowa, Tamron and Viltrox also produce a huge variety of unique Z mount lenses.

Support for anamorphic lenses is another advantage of this camera, with the ability to de-squeeze footage for more accurate monitoring. This means that it caters to high-end productions which have a cinematic widescreen workflow, while still being ideal for smaller productions that only need one or two lenses.

Professional-Ready Connectivity

The ZR includes industry connectivity that makes it easier to integrate into professional workflows. Ports include a small-size HDMI Type D (which some may see as a limitation), USB-C (USB 3.2), a headphone socket, and a line-level stereo mic input. You also have Nikon’s new digital accessory shoe, which supports the first digital microphone, which adds the option for cable-free audio capture.

Storage is also flexible with two memory card slots, including one CFexpress Type B or XQD cards for high-bitrate and HFR recording, while the other uses microSD, which is a cost effect format. This gives filmmakers the choice of fast media when capturing 12-bit RAW, or microSD when recording compressed video and stills.

Wireless and network features are built with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for smartphone control and cloud integration through frame.io. Power can be delivered over USB-C for extended sessions, or you can use Nikon’s EN-EL15c batteries, which will be familiar to existing Z camera users.

Who is the Nikon ZR for?

Nikon’s first dedicated cinema body is aimed at filmmakers, and creators who need more than a mirrorless camera can offer, but don’t necessarily want the size or cost of a full-scale RED cinema rig. It will no doubt appeal to solo content creators who want a smaller rig that captures professional audio, offers LUT monitoring and has effective in-body stabilisation without lots of accessories. Small production teams who want an affordable option for professional workflows will also be interested in the Z R.

Because it shares recording formats and colour science with RED, the ZR also works as a B-camera next to RED cameras, ensuring consistency when matching footage during post production. Existing Nikon users who want to move into professional video will find the learning curve less steep thanks to familiar ergonomics and menus, as well as befitting from the Z-mount lens compatibility.

It’s a brilliant compact video camera that packs class leading technology, with unique colour science, wide dynamic range, and 12-bit internal RAW recording at up to 6K 60p, which really is quite impressive.

Check out the Nikon ZR Cinema Camera today or select the Nikon ZR Cinema Camera with Z 24-70mm f/4 S Lens Kit and discover how it can elevate your own productions with Nikon’s first ever dedicated pro video camera that incorporates RED technology.

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By Nick Dautlich on 10/09/2025

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.