Nikon ZR Hands-on Review
Summary Verdict
Nikon’s collaboration with its cinema camera subsidiary RED has produced a compact, capable and surprisingly affordable full-frame cinema camera that is designed to fit comfortably into professional workflows or solo filmmaker set-ups. The Nikon ZR is the first Nikon camera to incorporate RED’s cinematic colour science, with the added bonus of internal 32-bit float audio and a larger, bright rear screen that makes it easy to work without an external monitor. It’s not just a pared-back RED or a beefed-up mirrorless camera, the Nikon ZR is a smartly judged hybrid of both, clearly designed with creators in mind.
Score: TBC
For
Internal RED R3D NE raw recording with RED colour science
32-bit float audio without external gear
Bright 4-inch DCI-P3 screen
Against
4K 120p incurs a crop
No fan could mean possible heat build-up in extreme conditions
The Nikon ZR has teh same partially-stacked full-frame sensor as the Nikon Z6 III.
What is the Nikon ZR?
The Nikon ZR is a full-frame cinema camera that’s been jointly developed by Nikon and RED, which is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Nikon. It sits within the recently defined Z Cinema category and is the first Nikon camera body to offer RED’s highly regarded colour science including a new internal RAW codec called R3D NE (Nikon Edition). Designed to be both lightweight and robust, the ZR can function as a standalone system or form the heart of a fully rigged setup for professional productions.
Nikon ZR Price and Availability
The Nikon ZR is priced at £2,199 / $2,199.95 and will go on sale at the end of October 2025. It was announced at 5 am BST on 10th, September 2025.
The top plate of the Nikon ZR has been redesigned compared to the Nikon Z6 III and other Z-series cameras.
Nikon ZR Specifications
Camera type: Mirrorless full-frame (FX)
Announced: 10th September 2025
Sensor: 24.5MP CMOS (35.9 x 23.9mm)
Lens mount: Nikon Z
Viewfinder: None
Screen: 4-inch, 3.07-million-dot vari-angle TFT touchscreen
Focusing system: Hybrid phase-detection/contrast-detection AF with AF assist – up to 299 points in photo mode and 253 points in video mode
Subject detection: Subject-tracking AF in video; 3D-tracking, subject-tracking, pinpoint, single-point, dynamic-area, and wide-area AF modes in photo
Shutter type: Electronic
Key video specifications: • 6K RAW up to 60p (R3D NE, N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ), • 5.4K ProRes 422 HQ up to 30p, • 4K up to 120p, • Full HD up to 240p
Gamma: Log3G10, N-Log, HLG, SDR
Bit depth: 12-bit RAW recording in R3D NE, N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, • Internal recording in H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC
Dynamic range: 15+ stops (Log3G10)
ISO sensitivity: Still images: ISO 100–51,200 (expandable to ISO 204,800 equivalent), Video: Varies by gamma/tone mode; base ISO 800 or 6400 for R3D NE; ISO 400–51,200 (HLG); ISO 800–51,200 (N-Log)
Storage: Dual slots with CFexpress Type B / XQD and microSD (UHS-I compliant)
Battery: EN-EL15c rechargeable Li-ion (EN-EL15b/EN-EL15a compatible with reduced capacity)
Weight: Approx. 630g (with battery and memory card), 540g (body only)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 134 x 80.5 x 49 mm / 5.3 x 3.2 x 2 inches
Key Features
The Nikon ZR features a 24.5MP partially stacked full-frame sensor, the same as in the Nikon Z6 III, and it records up to 6K/60p RAW internally. It supports three internal 12-bit RAW formats: R3D NE (RED), N-RAW (Nikon) and ProRes RAW. The R3D NE codec allows users to shoot in RED’s Log3G10 gamma and RedWideGamutRGB colour space, achieving up to 15+ stops of dynamic range with dual base ISOs of 800 and 6400.
Other recording options include 10-bit ProRes 422 HQ and H.265, or 8-bit H.264. There’s also 4K at 120p (with a 1.5x DX crop) and Full HD at up to 240p in non-RAW formats.
The camera supports the use of LUTs for monitoring, with up to 10 user LUTs (up to 65-point) that are viewable but not burned into footage. There are four cinematic video modes and nine RED Picture Controls that can be used with stills or video.
Notably, the ZR is the first camera to record 32-bit float audio internally, supporting both internal and external microphones without needing an XLR adapter. This gives much greater scope for recording audio without clipping than a regular audio system. The onboard microphones also feature OZO Audio technology, original developed by Nokia, with five directional pickup patterns.
As the ZR has Nikon Z mount, it is compatible with a wide range of Nikon Z-mount lenses along with many others via an adapter.
The Nikon ZR is also equipped with the Expeed 7 processor and supports direct cloud upload via Frame.io.
Although it doesn’t have a viewfinder, the ZR has a 4-inch screen that shows DCI-P3 colour and has 1000-nit brightness.
Build and Handling
Despite its cinema-focused capabilities, the Nikon ZR is compact and lightweight, weighing around 540g. As it doesn't have a viewfinder, it looks like a more rectangular sibling of the Nikon Z6 III and Z7 II.
It's body, which feels durable, is made from magnesium alloy and is fully weather-sealed to the same level as the Z6 III.
The camera’s 4-inch vari-angle touchscreen is the largest and brightest in its class, offering 1000 nits of brightness and full DCI-P3 colour. So far, I've only used it in fairly gloomy conditions, but it gives a nice clear view.
As is becoming increasingly common, the ZR allows vertical video recording with automatic metadata tagging, eliminating the need to rotate footage in post production.
Nikon has redesigned the top layout compared to other models in the Z line-up and there are buttons marked 1, 2, and 3, making them well-suited to customisation. There's also a new power zoom toggle surrounding the record button for use with power-zoom lenses. In addition, a new Quick Settings menu allows fast access to key video-centric features such as peaking, waveform display and monitor brightness.
While the Nikon ZR’s grip is shallow is gives reasonable purchase and leaves room for rigs and cages.
Performance
I got to use the Nikon ZR at a press briefing ahead of its announcement and, although I've only scratched the surface of what it can do, so far, I'm impressed.
As the ZR has the same sensor as the Nikon Z6 III, it has the same autofocus system, complete with the subject detection system and nine types of subject recognition. There's an ‘Always On’ subject along with focus breathing compensation that applies a minor crop.
The ZR's autofocus system proved quick and decisive. Even in the dark conditions of the press briefing, the camera was able to spot human eyes very quickly and get them sharp.
That partially stacked sensor helps boost the read-out speed of the ZR, but I noticed the occasional bit of rolling shutter distortion along some fast-moving elements such as sticks being twirled by a drummer.
The Nikon ZR has an extensive array of video resolutions and frame rates.
In-body stabilisation (IBIS) is on hand thanks to Nikon’s 5-axis sensor-shift VR system, and it’s said to offer up to 7.5 stops of compensation for stills. While my video footage from the ZR isn't rock-steady, it's more than watchable.
The camera can record continuously for up to 125 minutes with external power or 95 minutes on battery, without requiring a fan, which keeps it quiet and weather-resistant.
While the ZR is clearly a capable stills camera, it's highly unlikely that it will be bought for that. It's all about video capture. Of course, video also requires good audio and the 32-bit float proved very useful when recording a drummer. His drums were incredibly loud, but the ZR captured the sound perfectly, with no distortion.
Having a 32-bit float option for the audio recording means the ZR is capable of recording a great range of sound levels without clipping.
Nikon ZR Sample Images
These images were captured using a pre-production Nikon ZR.
Image credit: Angela Nicholson. Camera: Nikon ZR, Lens: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S at f/1.2, 1/1000 sec and ISO 1400.
Image credit: Angela Nicholson. Camera: Nikon ZR, Lens: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S at f/1.2, 1/1000 sec and ISO 1000.
Rolling shutter effect has caused a slight bend to one of the drumsticks here. It’s only visible in two or three images out of over 300.
Image credit: Angela Nicholson. Camera: Nikon ZR, Lens: Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S at f/1.2, 1/1000 sec and ISO 500.
Nikon ZR Sample Video
This 4K 120fps video was shot on the Nikon ZR with the shutter angle set to 180.
Verdict
The Nikon ZR makes a bold, confident move into cinema territory for Nikon, blending the world-renowned RED colour science with Nikon’s imaging know-how in a compact, weather-sealed body. It seems ideal for solo shooters and small crews alike, offering robust features without the bulk or price tag of a full RED rig. From the high-quality screen and versatile audio options to internal RAW and LUT support, it’s a camera built for storytelling, whether you’re creating YouTube content or indie films. And while it’s not the most powerful camera RED has ever been involved with, it’s by far the most accessible.
