My Nikon ZR has arrived a couple days ago. I’ve already spent enough time with it and in this post I wanted to share with you my first impressions about this marvelous piece of imaging.
A disclaimer is due here. I have never ever used Nikon cameras before - not once. To be honest, I’d never imagine using one until the day Nikon acquired RED. And here we go, Nikon ZR has joined my line up. A long journey lies ahead - learning the camera, collecting lenses and accessories and so on. But every journey starts with the first step. Let’s get started.
The Screen
I keep staring at the Nikon ZR screen and wondering why no other camera manufacturer has ever come up with an idea to make such a screen in a mirrorless camera. Now that Nikon has done that, it feels like the most natural thing in the world. Yet, we have to deal with tiny screens on the other cameras. However, it’s not only about the size. As a matter of fact, the screen is super bright and delivers gorgeous colors.
Some people complain about the micro HDMI port - fair point. But with this display, do you really need an external monitor? Unless you’re shooting with a crew, probably not. For solo shooters, the ZR’s enormous, color-accurate screen makes external monitors practically redundant.
Oh, and by the way - it covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color space. Gorgeous.
Build Quality
Nikon ZR is built like a tank. The camera is fully weather sealed and sports dust-and-drip resistant magnesium alloy body. It looks and seems like an indestructible thing that can go with you anywhere in any situation. The build of Nikon ZR is practically flawless.
Handling
Nikon ZR feels extremely comfortable in hand. Even though it has certain chunk and features a pretty small grip, it still holds in hand without any problems, especially if you use it with smaller lens. Most of the time I use it with 40mm f2.0 lens, which is small and light.
Menus
Ah, those menus. This was probably the biggest hurdle for me. Nikon menus are so different from other camera systems. I’m not saying they are bad but they are different for example from the cameras that I regularly use like Sony, Lumix or Olympus/OM Systems ON-1 and OM-3. It takes a bit of reorientation, but once you get used to the logic, it’s fine.
Image Quality
Image quality is outstanding - for both stills and video. I didn’t expect the ZR to perform so well with photos; it’s almost on par with the Z6 III (from what I’ve seen). Compared to other full-frame cameras I’ve used, it easily holds its own.
You can even use Picture Control recipes, which gives you great creative flexibility.
If you don’t mind the lack of an EVF or a mechanical shutter, the Nikon ZR could easily become your ideal photography companion.
The Codecs
You know what is so far my biggest problem with Nikon ZR? You’d have never guessed it. Choosing which of the three RAW codecs to use. Read it twice. Yes, on Nikon ZR you can record RAW video internally in three different ways. Amazing, isn’t it? You have ProRes RAW, You have Nikon RAW and then… the drums please… you have RED RAW.
Of course your old friends H.264 and H.265 are here as well but… do you honestly think I’d record H.264 on a camera that does allows you to record R3D NE 6K Internal recording? Why not? Not every project needs the color grading marathon that RAW demands. Sometimes you just need straightforward footage that looks great out of camera. Nikon ZR does that.
Auto Focus
Auto focus is fantastic. Gone are those times when there was abyss between Sony’s AF and that of competitors. I love AF on my Lumix S9 but Nikon ZR feels even more confident. I still have to learn all the finer AF settings, but it’s already very solid.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity Nikon ZR is top notch. Integration with Nikon cloud systems is flawless. Connection with an app is without any glitches. Everything is smooth and fast.
Overheating
Overheating is always my biggest concern, especially under the brutal sun of southern Spain. Even active-cooled cameras struggle here.
Last week of October, 31 degrees Celcius. Do I complain? You bet so. But the ZR didn’t break a sweat. I have no idea what kind of heat dissipation system Nikon engineers have devised but this thing works without any problems and here we are talking about 3700Mpbs+ internal recording. Read it twice.
Sony users envy, Lumix users envy - maybe Canon users too. Gerald Undone said he couldn’t overheat the ZR, and I didn’t believe it until I tested it myself. He was right.
The Quirks
Like every camera Nikon ZR has its own share of quirks. Some of them are simple and minor, some - not so. I already mentioned the micro HDMI port. My plan is to use ZR mostly for solo shooting. Hence, no need neither for an external monitor, nor for an external recorder. Heck, I’d happily use Nikon ZR without any HDMI port at all.
More significant is that the memory card slot sits inside the battery compartment. At high bitrates, a 1TB card only lasts about 35 minutes, so swapping cards can get frequent - and awkward.
Also, the body lacks mounting points, unlike the Sony FX3 or FX30. You’ll definitely want a cage. I use a universal one from Falcam, and with my current setup, it’s not a big issue anymore - I can mount or dismount the camera quickly.
Two more annoyances
There are two design quirks I haven’t heard many people mention but find frustrating.
First, the speaker placement. It’s on the right side, so when you hold the camera, your hand covers it and muffles the sound - especially annoying when you want to hear AF confirmation beeps.
Second, the power button. It’s not a lever but a soft press button, meaning it can easily switch on in your bag by accident. Sadly, there’s no option to require a long press - something I wish Nikon would add via firmware.
Is that all?
One more issue - not Nikon’s fault: finding a screen protector.
Because the ZR’s display is large and unusually shaped, compatible protectors are rare. I eventually found one from a German seller but had to make do with a DIY version in the meantime - cutting one from an A4 sheet. Ugly? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
Final Thoughts
Are the quirks serious? Depends on your needs and workflow. Some will find them trivial; others might see deal-breakers.
But for me, given everything the Nikon ZR delivers - its stunning screen, bulletproof build, internal RAW options, reliable AF, and no overheating - the flaws are easy to forgive.
This camera feels like a bold statement from Nikon: We’re serious about hybrid shooters. We’re serious about cinema cameras.