Nikon ZR Cinema Camera

Nikon ZR Cinema Camera Summary

The Nikon ZR Cinema Camera is the first dedicated professional video camera from Nikon. It incorporates a host of video features, including a selection inherited from their 2024 acquisition of RED, who have a wealth of cinema industry experience.

With the world’s first in-camera 32-bit float audio recording, the largest and brightest LCD screen in its class, and premium video features in a surprisingly compact body, the Nikon ZR Cinema is set to revolutionise video capture for solo creators and production houses.

It features the same fast 24.5MP partially stacked full-frame sensor seen in the Z6 III, which delivers extremely fast readout speeds, fast autofocus and reduced rolling shutter, while being capable of recording high video frame rates. RED colour science has been incorporated into the ‘RED Z’, which this full-frame professional video camera is colloquially known as.

You can choose to record from seven in-camera formats, including 8-bit H.264 and H.265, through to 12-bit R3D NE, N-RAW and ProRes RAW. The camera also features Log3G10 Dual Base ISO for footage with up to 15 stops dynamic range. Users can choose the perfect frame rate from a series of slow-motion presets to suit any project, with 6K 60p RAW, 4K 120p RAW and 10x slow motion Full HD 240p, which make it easy to capture compelling movies directly in-camera.

Videos can be previewed with support for three types of LUTs for accurate results while shooting, followed by a simplified post-processing workflow with LUT previews that are not baked in. Cinematic footage can be recorded straight in the camera with cinematic presets too, with additional presets available for download, catering to simple or advanced workflows depending on your needs.

Audio quality is second to none too, with the world’s first 32-bit float audio in-camera, which reduces the chance of clipping whether recording interviews, movies or live gigs. The ZR uses three MEMS mics and OZO audio tech to achieve professional sound directly in-camera, although you have the option to connect an external video mic, as well as using Nikon’s first ever digital-shoe mic, which offers 32-bit float support, 77dB signal-to-noise ratio and much more.

Additionally, the camera body includes the largest and brightest display in its class, with a 4-inch LCD screen with 1000 cd/m² brightness, which is vertical-ready for select social output. It also offers stills features when you need them, with up to 7.5 stops focus point VR, -10EV sensitivity and amazing image quality from Nikon’s full-frame sensor.

Nikon ZR Cinema Key Features

• 24.5MP partially stacked full-frame CMOS sensor
• Adopts respected RED technology and colour science
• Dual ISO with up to 15 stops of dynamic range
• Variety of video formats up to 12-bit RAW 6K 60p and 4K 120p in-camera
• View LUTs as you shoot and record with cinematic presets without processing
• World’s first in-camera 32-bit float audio, with built-in mic and external mic support
• Class-leading 4-inch monitor with 1000 cd/m² bright display
• Fast, accurate AF with 9 types of subject recognition
• Focus breathing compensation and 5-axis VR for up to 7.5 stops
• Fanless cooling enables up to 125 minutes of recording on continuous power
• Nikon Z mount with comprehensive lens options
• CFexpress Type B and microSD media slots
• USB-C, FTP, smartphone and cloud support

Nikon ZR Cinema Camera in More Detail

Full-Frame Partially Stacked Sensor

With the same 24.5 megapixel partially stacked CMOS sensor paired with Nikon’s latest EXPEED 7 processor from the Z6 III, users can expect blistering performance with fast readout speeds. The full-frame sensor records up to 6K video and offers a fast scan rate, reducing rolling shutter while still being capable of capturing high video frame rates.

All-in-one Professional Video Camera

The ZR is the first dedicated pro video camera from Nikon, which joins RED’s V-Raptor X and Komodo X cameras, and offers high-end cinema features without the size, weight or associated costs of the RED bodies.

Having adopted RED technology into the ZR Cinema body, Nikon has now fully realised the fruits of the 2024 acquisition of RED. This enables the camera to combine technology with Nikon’s leading image processing, optical technology and AI autofocusing, alongside RED’s colour science, RAW compression technology and dynamic range performance.

The result is a compact yet extremely powerful video camera, which is capable of pro-level cinematic results, regardless of whether users want to grade footage during post or publish results without any editing. Solo creators can capture excellent results with just the camera, it can be integrated into a comprehensive rig for professional use, or as a B-camera for consistent colours when shooting alongside RED Cinema cameras.

Cinematic Presets

Cinematic, Slow-motion, Portrait, and Starscape presets provide RED colours for cinematic footage straight out of the camera, with no processing needed. An additional nine presets can be downloaded, including Achromatic, Film Bias, Bleach Bypass, and more, which opens up new creative avenues from a more concise workflow.

Record Wide Dynamic Range 12-bit RAW in camera

With the Log3G10 curve and RedWideGamutRGB colour space, 12-bit RAW recording in-camera is possible using the R3D NE RAW format. This gives you the same respected RED colours from a more user-friendly cinema camera body, with consistent results now possible across Nikon and RED devices.

The highest quality with the highest efficiency is now available for solo creators, with seven formats that provide ultimate flexibility.

Three 12-bit in-camera formats include:

1. R3D NE
2. N-RAW
3. ProRes RAW

These provide 68 billion possible colours for the highest quality productions and the most demanding workflows. Alternatively, users can record in ProRes 422 HQ or H.265 10-bit, with over 1 billion colours available.

Both H.264 and H.265 also offer the highest levels of compression with 8-bit recording and 16 million possible colours, allowing you to choose the format that best suits any particular project.

Easy Exposure with Detailed Results

Log3G10 Dual Base ISO at ISO 800 / 6400 can capture up to 15 stops of dynamic range, offering excellent data retention in both highlights and shadows.

Frame rates to Suit Your Motion

Choose from three quick and easy slow motion presets, even in RAW formats recorded in-camera:

• 6K 60p RAW
• 4K 120p RAW
• FHD240p Non-RAW

View LUTs as You Shoot

17-, 33-, and 65-point LUTs are supported, and users can load up to 10 LUTs into the camera. This allows you to preview footage during recording without baking colours into the footage, providing greater flexibility in post-processing.

World’s First In-camera 32-bit Float Audio

The Nikon ZR is the first camera to feature in-camera 32-bit float audio recording. This professional-level ability captures extremely wide dynamic range audio, allowing creators to record quiet and loud sounds without having to adjust gain levels during capture.

Rather than relying on manual input levels, 32-bit float creates a high-resolution waveform that retains detail across the full dynamic range. This means that you can recover clipped or distorted sections during post, or boost low-level sounds without unwanted noise being introduced. It’s particularly useful when shooting unpredictable environments such as live events, interviews, or any production where subjects suddenly change volume.

Whether recording with the built-in microphones, an external mic, or Nikon’s first digital shoe-mounted mic with 77dB signal-to-noise ratio, the ZR gives creators professional-grade audio directly in-camera, with greater control during editing.

Audio formats include Linear PCM (48 kHz, 24-bit / 32-bit float, recorded in NEV, R3D, or MOV video file types), or AAC (48 kHz, 16-bit, for videos in MP4 format).

Directional Audio from 3 in-camera Mics

Three MEMS microphones and Nokia OZO audio technology enable a choice of five directional pickup patterns, which can deliver realistic and immersive sound with a 72 dB signal-to-noise ratio. The mics are positioned at the front and rear of the camera body, with 3D stereo available from both narrow and wide pickup modes. This creates an immersive audio experience, whether you’re capturing a live concert, ASMR, or ambient location sound.

Nikon chose MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) for their compact size and ability to convert sound into electrical signals using silicon-based components. This allows the ZR to record high-quality audio directly in-camera, without needing an external microphone, so it’s easier to achieve professional results in a wider range of environments. You can also attach a separate video mic if preferred, and the body includes a cable-free digital shoe, which is compatible with Nikon’s first-ever digital shoe microphone (available separately). This offers additional versatility for audio capture, and supports 32-bit float audio with a high 77 dB signal-to-noise ratio for professional-level sound.

4-Inch Super Bright Touchscreen Monitor

Nikon has designed the rear panel of the camera to accommodate a large 4-inch (16:9) LCD monitor, which features 3.07 million dots and 1000 cd/m² brightness. It also offers DCI-P3 colour accuracy and is ready for both horizontal and vertical recording, catering to any output or social media platform.

This large, bright screen delivers best-in-class performance, making an external monitor optional rather than essential.

Ergonomics and control

Nikon has considered usability and control access for the ZR camera, which features a completely new lightweight design at just 540g/630g with/without a battery and memory cards. It has a dedicated photo/video switch for instant access to either format, with a zoom lever next to a large red ring record button.

Users will find three simply placed switches on the top panel for display, mode and exposure compensation, with a simplified rear panel, which is dominated by the large 4” screen. The rear has only a couple of buttons and a command dial, with distinct menu systems when recording stills or video that feature a video-friendly graphics user interface.

Video specific settings

Video-specific settings include precise shutter angle control, enabling users to maintain consistent exposure and motion blur across all frame rates. A standard 180º shutter angle delivers natural-looking motion blur typically used in cinematic video, while a 5.6º to 360º range allows for greater creative control.

At 5.6º the shutter produces sharp frames with minimal blur, which is ideal for stylised or fast-moving action scenes. At the other end 360º creates considerable motion blur, which can enhance low-light footage or deliver a surreal, fluid look, which helps filmmakers achieve the aesthetic they want for any project.

Fast, Accurate Autofocus

The ZR Cinema includes Nikon’s highly effective AI-driven autofocus system, which features subject recognition and tracking in light as low as -10 EV. The hybrid focal plane/phase-detection/contrast system includes 273 focus points (photo mode) with 90% x 90% sensor coverage.

With nine types of subject recognition and an always-on subject mode, you can achieve sharp footage in virtually any situation.

Modes are available for:

• people (eyes, face, head, upper body)
• dogs
• cats
• birds
• cars
• motorbikes
• bicycles
• trains 
• airplanes

The body supports eye tracking, regardless of whether the subject is very small in the frame, wearing glasses or sunglasses, or even if they are upside down.

5-Axis Vibration Reduction (VR)

Capture stable movies during run-and-gun recording, even in the midst of dynamic action, with Nikon’s 5-Axis Vibration Reduction (VR) system. This works across pitch, yaw, roll, and horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) shifts, helping to reduce blurriness in photos and shaky video, and allowing for clearer images even at lower shutter speeds.

Focus Point VR is another feature derived from Nikon’s mirrorless cameras, which enables the user to link VR to the focus point. This concentrates stabilisation on the area of focus within the frame, resulting in up to 7.5 stops of stabilisation exactly where it’s most needed, rather than across the entire frame where it may be less beneficial.

Fanless Design

With an efficient heat-dissipation design, the ZR enables quiet and extended recording times of up to:

• 125 minutes with continuous power
• 95 minutes on battery power before it runs out

Huge Range of Z Mount Lenses

There are native Z mount mirrorless lenses to suit any project, from both Nikon and third-party manufacturers such as Laowa, Tamron, TTArtisan and Viltrox. Nikon’s own lenses include a number of fast primes and flexible zooms, while F-mount DSLR lenses can be mounted using the optional FTZ Mark II lens mount adapter.

This comprehensive lens choice allows creators to choose the perfect optic from both new and legacy models to suit the style of their current project.

Ports, Power and Connectivity

Comprehensive connectivity enables professional content creation with the Nikon ZR camera. These include:

• USB-C (USB 3.2)
• HDMI Type D
• External stereo mic (line input supported)
• Headphone (remote cord) connector
• Digital accessory shoe
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

The body includes dual memory card slots, with a CFexpress (Type B) slot that is also compatible with XQD, plus a UHS-I compliant MicroSD slot.

Power is supplied by the EN-EL15c battery, with support for the EN-EL15b. Charging is available over USB while the camera is switched off, or via direct USB power delivery when the camera is switched on. The EN-EL15c battery is also supported, along with the EH-8P AC charging adapter.

The camera supports a remote workflow with frame.io built-in enabling remote cloud workflows.

Weather Sealed to Z6 III standards

The ZR Cinema camera features a tough build, with the ability to operate in freezing temperatures as low as -10ºC. Comprehensive weather sealing protects the body in all conditions, ensuring that you can continue recording in virtually any environment.

What’s in the box

• Nikon ZR Cinema Camera
• BS-D1 digital accessory shoe cover (attached to camera)
• BF-N1 body cap
• EN‑EL15c rechargeable Li-ion battery
• AN-DC26 strap
• USB cable (featuring Type C connectors at both ends)