Nikon · Reviewed by PetaPixel · Published 2025-09-10
Based on a review by PetaPixel (accessed 2025-09-10).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about compact, mirrorless design for a dedicated video camera — just accept uses a micro hdmi port instead of a full-size one.
The reviewer finds the Nikon ZR to be an "impressively capable" and "shockingly affordable" camera, especially noting its advanced video features like R3D RAW and 32-bit float audio in a compact body, despite some ergonomic quirks and limited mounting points.
PetaPixel's Chris Nichols and Jordan Drake provide a first impressions review of the Nikon ZR, the brand's first full-frame mirrorless camera designed specifically for video. They examine its compact design, display, controls, recording capabilities, and audio features.
This dedicated video camera is impressively capable and surprisingly affordable, making advanced cinema features accessible to a wider audience. It boasts an absolutely giant 4-inch HDR display and introduces efficient R3D Raw recording, a first for Nikon, while leveraging a partially stacked 24-megapixel sensor for 6K60 and 4K120 internal recording. However, it only offers a single micro HDMI port and lacks raw video backup recording, which could be a concern for professional workflows. If you need a compact, dedicated video camera with high-end RAW recording capabilities and a fantastic monitoring display, this camera is an excellent choice. If you require multiple mounting points or robust backup options for RAW footage, you might need additional accessories or consider other solutions.
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visual_inspectionpositivet=0:19–0:21
The Nikon ZR features a very spelt and compact mirrorless design, contrary to initial expectations of a big, bulky box cinema camera.
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This is a dedicated video body, very specific to video, and is not just a photo camera stripped down to do video, though it does take photos with its electronic shutter-only Z6III sensor.
specification_claimpositivet=1:51–2:00
The camera features an absolutely giant 4-inch, over 3 million dot LCD that can go extremely bright, up to 1,000 nits, and is capable of delivering HDR content in the P3 color space.
hands_on_demonegativet=2:03–2:07
A concern with the LCD display is that it doesn't stick out, causing it to constantly bump up against the mic and headphone jacks.
visual_inspectionneutralt=2:23–2:25
Due to its small body, the Nikon ZR uses a micro HDMI port, in contrast to Nikon's usual full-size HDMI ports, alongside a USB-C port.
hands_on_demopositivet=3:45–3:58
The camera includes a zoom rocker with two access points, three customizable buttons for quick access, and an autofocus joystick positioned for comfort.
visual_inspectionnegativet=4:12–4:17
The Nikon ZR has only one 1/4-20 tripod mount on the bottom, centered with the lens and accessible with the battery door, but the reviewer would have liked more for a videocentric body.
specification_claimmixedt=4:37–4:44
The camera uses a classic Nikon EN-EL15 battery, a CF Express Type B slot for raw video, and a micro SD slot, which the reviewer finds fiddly.
expert_opinionpositivet=4:54–5:08
Inside, it has a partially stacked 24-megapixel sensor, similar to the Z6III, providing faster readout which helps avoid rolling shutter artifacts even with its electronic shutter-only operation.
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The camera can record internally at 6K up to 60 frames per second and 4K at 120p with a small crop.
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The ZR retains IBIS, rated at 7.5 stops of stability. However, the standard mode will fight panning or walking, requiring use of sports mode for movement.
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This camera is the first to feature RED's R3D (NE version) recording format, alongside NRAW and ProRes RAW, offering efficient video compression and retaining dynamic range.
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Unlike modern dedicated RED cameras that record 16-bit color space in RAW, the Nikon ZR's R3D only records in 12-bit, resulting in a dynamic range penalty.
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The camera has no fan, and while overheating cannot be tested on this pre-production unit, recent Nikons like the Z6III and Z52 are reportedly good at recording long, high-resolution clips without fans.
expert_opinionpositivet=7:40–7:43
The Nikon ZR can record 32-bit float audio directly via its microphone input, which is useful for handling huge audio dynamics like live music without clipping or excessive noise in post-production.
The Nikon ZR is a dedicated video camera capable of recording 6K video at up to 60 frames per second and 4K at 120p with a slight crop. It supports advanced recording formats like RED's R3D (NE version), Nikon's NRAW, and ProRes RAW, which are praised for efficient compression and dynamic range. However, R3D on the ZR is limited to 12-bit color, unlike 16-bit on dedicated RED cameras.
The Nikon ZR comes with an impressive 4-inch, over 3 million dot LCD display that can reach 1,000 nits of brightness and supports HDR content in the P3 color space. However, its design means it constantly bumps against the mic and headphone jacks when articulated, posing an ergonomic challenge.
The camera includes in-body image stabilization (IBIS) rated for 7.5 stops of stability, which is a strong feature. However, the reviewer notes that in its standard mode, the IBIS will fight you if you try to pan or walk with the camera, recommending to set it into 'sports mode' for such scenarios.
The Nikon ZR offers professional-grade 32-bit float audio recording directly through its microphone input, not just through a digital hot shoe interface. This feature is highly beneficial for situations with wide audio dynamics, such as live music, as it helps prevent clipping and reduces noise during post-production. It also has three built-in microphones with five selectable patterns, though professional users will typically opt for external mics.
The Nikon ZR boasts a very compact and sleek mirrorless design, defying expectations of a bulky cinema camera. This compact form factor, however, necessitates the use of a micro HDMI port instead of a full-size one. Additionally, it features only one 1/4-20 tripod mount on the bottom, which might be insufficient for videographers requiring multiple accessory mounting points for rigging.
The Nikon ZR does not include a cooling fan, which might raise concerns about overheating during long recording sessions. However, as this is a pre-production model, thorough thermal testing was not possible. The reviewer notes that other recent Nikon cameras without fans, like the Z6III and Z52, have shown good performance in recording long, high-resolution clips, suggesting the ZR might also perform well.
The Nikon ZR utilizes a CF Express Type B card slot, which is mandatory for recording raw video formats like R3D, NRAW, and ProRes RAW. It also includes a micro SD slot, which the reviewer finds somewhat fiddly, for other video recording options. Notably, if recording raw video, there is no backup as it only records to the CF Express B card.
100/100 source quality
This review introduces the Nikon ZR, Nikon's new full-frame mirrorless camera dedicated to video. It highlights the camera's compact design, large and bright 4-inch LCD, and dedicated video-centric controls. The internal capabilities include a partially stacked 24MP sensor enabling 6K 60fps and 4K 120p recording, along with support for RED's R3D RAW format (12-bit), NRAW, and ProRes RAW. While it boasts 7.5 stops of IBIS and 32-bit float audio, the camera has limited mounting points, uses micro HDMI, and operates without a fan, with thermals yet to be fully tested.
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