Nikon ZR: 6K RED RAW, price, release date

TL;DR:

• Nikon announced the ZR on September 10, 2025. 
• Shoots RED R3D NE internally at up to 6K/59.94p.
• 4-inch 1000-nit screen, no EVF, 7.5-stop IBIS. 
• Price is $2,199.95, shipping in late October, with Oct 20 noted by press. 
• Built for creators who need RED color, small body, and strong AF.

Nikon introduced the ZR, a compact full-frame cinema camera born from its RED deal. The company announced it on September 10, 2025. The headline is in-camera RED R3D NE recording up to 6K/59.94p.

Nikon lists late October 2025 for availability at $2,199.95. Several outlets add an October 20, 2025 retail date. Preorders are live now. 

Why the ZR matters

This is Nikon’s first Z Cinema body that fuses Nikon’s Z-mount system with RED color and workflow. You get REDWideGamutRGB and Log3G10, so matching to RED cameras is easier. That is a big win for mixed-camera shoots and post teams.

Core highlights

• Codecs in-camera: RED R3D NE, N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ, H.265, H.264. 
• Sensor: 24.5 MP full-frame, partially stacked. 15+ stops of range. Dual base ISO 800 and 6400 for R3D NE and N-Log.
• Stabilization: Up to 7.5 stops IBIS. 
• Monitor: 4-inch, 3.07M-dot, DCI-P3, 1000 nits, fully articulating. 
• Audio: 32-bit float with built-in mics and with external mics. OZO Audio with five pickup patterns.
• AF: Deep-learning subject detection for nine categories, including people, animals, and vehicles. 
• Body: About 1.18 lb (535 g). Compact size, no EVF. Micro HDMI, USB-C, headphone and mic jacks. 

Price, kits, and date

Body is $2,199.95. Nikon also offers kits with a 50mm f/1.8 ($2,749.95), 35mm f/1.4 ($2,849.95), or 24-50mm zoom ($2,499.95). Nikon targets late October shipping, with press citing October 20, 2025. 

How RED shows up in the ZR

The ZR records R3D NE internally. Editors can adjust ISO and white balance in post, and use REDCINE-X Pro with Log3G10 and REDWideGamutRGB. That eases color match with RED bodies, yet you still mount Nikon Z lenses. 

Design and handling

Nikon leans into a small, video-first body. The 4-inch screen is the star, bright enough for sun and useful for HDR previews. There is no fan. Nikon says the shell is built for heat flow and lists up to 125 minutes of recording in H.265 with the right settings and power. DPReview notes the micro HDMI choice and the lack of EVF. 

Media and power

DPReview lists CFexpress Type B plus microSD. The battery is the familiar EN-EL15c from the Z6III. That keeps packs and chargers simple for existing Nikon users.

Audio tools that stand out

The ZR records 32-bit float with internal and external mics, which cuts clipping risk when levels swing. Nikon’s new ME-D10 digital shotgun mic rides the digital accessory shoe and draws power from the camera. Pickup patterns include front, rear, omni, binaural, and a narrow front mode. 

Specs at a glance

Sources in this table: Nikon press pages and DPReview. 

How it compares and who should buy

For RED shooters. If your studio already uses RED, the ZR gives you RED color and R3D inside a light body with Z-mount lenses. The price is far lower than typical RED bodies. 

For hybrid Nikon users. If you shoot with a Z6III or Z8 and need a small video body, the ZR keeps your batteries and lenses. You lose an EVF, but gain flexible RAW and 32-bit audio. DPReview also points to a bargain price versus rivals. 

For solo creators. The 4-inch 1000-nit screen can replace an external monitor for many shoots. With IBIS and strong AF, the camera suits gimbals and travel rigs. 

Small gotchas to note

• No EVF. Plan your rig around the flip screen or an external monitor. 
• Micro HDMI. Be gentle with cables or add a cage and clamp. 
• No active cooling. Nikon claims long takes without overheating, but test for your climate. 

Quick buying checklist

• Do you need R3D for your workflow or to match RED footage. 
• Will the 4-inch 1000-nit screen cover your monitoring needs on set. 
• Do you own CFexpress Type B media and EN-EL15c batteries. 
• Are you fine with micro HDMI and no EVF. 
• Do you need delivery by late October for a project. 

Why it matters

The ZR brings RED color and RAW flexibility to a $2,199 body. That lowers the bar for film students, small crews, and Nikon users who want cinema tools in a small kit. If Nikon ships on time and heat stays in check, this could pressure rivals on price and codecs. 

Sources:

• Nikon Global Newsroom, “Nikon releases the ZR, a full-frame sensor camera…,” https://www.nikon.com/company/news/2025/0910_imaging_01.html , 2025-09-10. Nikon
  
• Nikon USA Press Room, “The Nikon ZR: A new era of cinematic…,” https://www.nikonusa.com/press-room/zr , 2025-09-10. Nikon
  
• Nikon USA Product Page, “ZR overview and specs,” https://www.nikonusa.com/p/zr/2006/overview , accessed 2025-09-10. Nikon
  
• DPReview, “New ZR reveals Nikon’s cinematic ambitions,” https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-zr-compact-full-frame-video-camera-6k-60-red-raw , 2025-09-10. DPReview
  
• The Verge, “Nikon’s first RED co-brand is the Nikon ZR,” https://www.theverge.com/cameras/775373/nikons-first-red-co-brand-is-the-nikon-zr , 2025-09-10. The Verge
  
• Newsshooter, “Nikon ZR, the company’s first digital cinema camera,” https://www.newsshooter.com/2025/09/09/nikon-zr-the-companys-first-digital-cinema-camera/ , 2025-09-09. Newsshooter