Nikon ZR Cinema Camera Set

The Nikon ZR is the first camera in Nikon’s Z Cinema line, developed together with RED. It packs a 6K full-frame sensor and internal RAW recording into a body weighing just 540 g. That makes it a good fit for solo shooters and small crews on documentaries, music videos and commercials, and it works well as a lightweight B camera next to a RED or on a gimbal.

Image and recording

The 24.5 MP full-frame sensor records internally in three RAW formats: RED’s R3D NE (12-bit), Nikon’s N-RAW and ProRes RAW HQ. R3D NE brings RED color science with Log3G10 and REDWideGamutRGB and drops straight into an existing RED workflow. For lighter files there are ProRes 422 HQ and 10-bit H.265 with N-Log or HLG. With dual base ISO 800 and 6400, you can switch to the higher base ISO in low light. Dynamic range is more than 15 stops, and rolling shutter is low at 9.4 ms in 6K full frame (R3D NE).

Frame rates

• R3D NE: 6K full frame up to 60 fps, 4K (DX crop) up to 120 fps
• ProRes 422 HQ: 5.4K up to 30 fps, 4K up to 60 fps, Full HD up to 120 fps
• H.265 10-bit: 5.4K up to 60 fps, 4K (DX crop) up to 120 fps, Full HD up to 240 fps

Screen, autofocus and stabilization

You work on a large 4″ vari-angle touchscreen (1000 cd/m²) with up to 10 custom LUTs for preview, plus waveform and zebras. Autofocus recognizes nine subject types, including people, animals and vehicles. The 5-axis in-body stabilization helps with handheld shots.

Audio

The ZR records 32-bit float audio from the built-in microphones or the 3.5 mm input, so a level set too low or too high can be fixed in post. The built-in mics offer several pickup patterns, from forward-facing to omni and binaural.

Power, media and connections

We recommend our SWIT PowerCell EN-EL15c batteries (about 90 minutes per battery). You can also power the camera via USB-C, or use our Patona PD100W D-Tap > USB-C Adapter with a V-mount battery. It records to CFexpress Type B in slot 1, while the microSD slot is meant for proxies. The ZR has no fan, yet it can record continuously for up to about 360 minutes on external power at 25 °C. Video goes out via micro-HDMI, which is a fragile port, so use the included cable clamp when you connect a monitor.

Our rental package

The ZR comes rigged in a SmallRig HawkLock cage with top handle, V-mount plate, two Arca-Swiss plates, NATO bracket, cable clamp and HD adapter, packed in a hard case. Three lens adapters are included: the Mofage POCO turns the Z mount into a PL mount with drop-in filters, including a clear filter and a variable ND from 0.3 to 2.4 (1 to 8 stops) that makes up for the missing internal ND. The Viltrox PL-Z is a simple PL adapter without filters, and the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+ lets you use Sony E-mount lenses with autofocus.

In the Case

• Megadap ETZ21 Pro+ adapter for E-mount lenses
• Viltrox PL-Z adapter
• Mofage POCO drop-in filter adapter standard kit
• Mofage clear drop-in filter
• Mofage ND 0.3-2.4 drop-in filter
• SmallRig HawkLock cage
• SmallRig top handle
• SmallRig V-mount plate
• Small Arca-Swiss plate
• Long Arca-Swiss plate
• Top-mount NATO bracket
• Cable clamp
• SmallRig HD adapter
• Hot shoe cover
• USB-C cable
• Screen protector
• Lens cap
• Hard case

Don’t forget to book SWIT PowerCell batteries and fast CFexpress Type B cards.