Nikon ZR Camera Released – Through the Eyes of a Nikon-RED Filmmaker

Nikon ZR, the primary progeny of the Nikon-RED acquisition, is out, with fairly a stir round it. The brand new digital camera appears to comply with no identified patterns, becoming right into a field of its personal. The digital camera blends high-end cine options, by no means seen earlier than on this value vary, with hybrid options trickling up from Nikon’s Z cameras. Because the market scrambles to determine the digital camera, its use-cases, workflows, and target market, we’ve been fortunate sufficient to get a first-hand impression from our personal Francesco Andreola Francesco Andreola appears to be the proper candidate for this interview: He was a Nikon-RED person earlier than it was cool, working with a RED KOMODO-X on set alongside Nikon mirrorless our bodies, the Nikon Z6III being his present. You may dive into his hands-on overview right here, however the basic gist suggests an extremely highly effective filmmaking instrument, jam-packed with options in a physique that will simply be a bit too compact, dictating some vital compromises.R3D within the palm of your hand. Picture credit score: CineDCodecs and codecs: heavyweight and flexibleThe Nikon ZR affords all kinds of codecs, together with light-weight H.264/H.265 in 8-bit and 10-bit, in addition to storage-devouring choices resembling ProRes 422 HQ (at the moment solely HQ), and three RAW choices internally: R3D, N-RAW, and ProRes RAW HQ. These juicy codecs come at a value of cupboard space (and value), and received’t be the primary alternative for everybody. Nonetheless, they supply a singular mix of footage high quality, compactness, and vlogging talents. As with many high-bitrate cameras nowadays, the Nikon ZR depends on CFexpress Kind B media. These are pretty frequent, not less than within the high-end of the hybrid market, however aren’t low cost. The digital camera has one slot for these and one other for a MicroSD card, which received’t present any backup recording potential as a result of velocity restrict.Nikon ZR with a Tascam XLR audio mixer connected. Picture credit score: CineDNikon ZR ergonomics: what works, what doesn’tZR debuts a new compact physique. Ergonomics and management factors are fairly restricted by compactness, however the fundamentals are there. Among the many most questionable design selections, we will positively depend the use of micro-HDMI, a follow virtually eradicated from each cine and hybrid cameras nowadays; cramming the media and battery into a decent area, simply blocked by tripod plates or rigs; lack of extra mounting factors, like these on the Sony FX3 and associates, Canon EOS C50, and different cine compacts. Not like these two rivals, the Nikon ZR has no devoted audio deal with. Nonetheless, Tascam is making an on-camera mixer for it, and it appears as if Nikon can also be beginning to produce smart-shoe equipment.The 4″, high-res, 1000-nit brilliant LCD is maybe the digital camera’s greatest ergonomic characteristic. Occupying most of its rear, it could typically render exterior displays utterly out of date. Button format can also be good, offering all the mandatory controls at your fingertips with out being overwhelming. The digital camera’s grip may be very minimal. This may increasingly not assist with naked physique hand-held taking pictures, but it surely does make the digital camera tremendous compact. Rigs will quickly comply with, and this digital camera would in all probability profit from them. Are you able to truly see the Nikon ZR? Picture credit score: CineDInterface tweaks that matter on setThe Nikon ZR carries some small however welcome quality-of-life updates: a brand new on-screen shortcut button aggregates key monitoring instruments resembling peaking, zebras, and display screen brightness. As most of us shall be requested to movie vertically typically, the video UI now auto-rotates for vertical taking pictures. For straightforward colour alignment in RED units, ZR helps RED look integration, so you possibly can align with KOMODO-X on set utilizing shared LUTs.Distinctive audio options. Picture credit score: CineD32-bit float onboardZR information 32-bit float audio internally, with no further equipment wanted. The ecosystem will nonetheless require a 32-bit float supply, but when there may be one, it’s going to prevent the hustle of syncing. This potential is extraordinarily helpful for varied taking pictures situations, particularly run-and-gun, documentary, weddings, and so on.The massive articulated screenNikon ZR. Picture credit score: CineDWho is the Nikon ZR for?The Nikon ZR occupies a singular spot out there. Each a “Pocket RED” and a high-end vlogging digital camera. This can permit varied audiences to make use of it, and the value will put it in attain for a lot of. Francesco stated he would change his Z6 III with ZR for video-first work, preserving the choice to shoot stills casually, albeit at a small compromise within the stills sense. Having each the Nikon ZR and the Z-Mount RED KOMODO makes absolute sense. The ZR’s RAW choices, RED colour integration, and shared media make it a extra pure B-cam than earlier Nikons or some other hybrid round.The Z-Mount, whereas not plentiful with optics, holds a wild card up its sleeve. Attributable to its extraordinarily brief flange distance and extensive diameter, it’s the solely mount able to accepting tailored Sony E-Mount lenses. Paradoxically, a few decade in the past, Sony benefited tremendously from the development of adapting Canon EF lenses to their digital camera, and now the tables have considerably turned.Value and availabilityThe Nikon ZR, with all its REDness, is now out there for preorders and competitively priced at $2200 / €2,118.05. A number of kits and equipment are additionally out there.Will you take into account the Nikon ZR as your subsequent cine digital camera? Or possibly your subsequent RAW-capable vlogging rig? Do you consider it’s prepared for prime time? Tell us within the feedback.