Is this the FX3 killer?

Nikon and RED have officially released their first fully collaborative camera, and on paper, it looks wildly competitive. Internal RED RAW and Nikon RAW, excellent Nikon autofocus, 32-bit float audio with no adapter, one of the largest screens on a mirrorless camera, and a $2200 price tag.

That is the new Nikon ZR.

But there is one big question: without a fan, how does it handle heat during long shoots like outdoor wedding ceremonies?

I’m reviewing the Nikon ZR from the perspective of a wedding, documentary, and commercial filmmaker to help you decide if this camera is worth buying.

First Impressions and Camera Body Design

When you first pick up the ZR, it feels far more like a Nikon mirrorless camera than a RED camera. Traditional RED cameras are boxy and require full rigs with rails, handles, and accessories. The ZR is different.

This camera has a grip, a built in screen, and can easily be handheld without any rigging. That sets the tone for the entire experience.

Overall, the ZR feels about 70 percent Nikon and 30 percent RED. That is not a bad thing, but if you are coming from a traditional RED camera, there will be an adjustment.

A Huge Screen That Changes Everything

One of the best design choices on the ZR is the rear screen.

The FX3 has a 3 inch screen. The ZR has a 4 inch screen. That may not sound dramatic, but in real use, it feels significantly larger and far easier to see.

The screen is bright, sharp, and works extremely well outdoors. Touch controls are responsive and thoughtfully designed. While it is not fully articulating without flipping out first, that is not a dealbreaker for me.

There is no EVF on this camera, which reinforces that it is built for video first. The FX3 does not have an EVF either, but the ZR’s larger screen makes that easier to live with.

The Weirdest Card Slot Choice I’ve Seen in Years

Now we need to talk about the strangest design decision on this camera.

When you open the battery door, you will find two card slots. One is a CFexpress Type B slot, which is exactly what you want. The other is a microSD card slot that can only record H.264 or H.265.

Yes, microSD.

This is confusing and honestly hard to justify. It is not another CFexpress slot or even a full size SD card slot.

Even worse, the ZR cannot record to both card slots at the same time, just like other Nikon cameras. That means no true backup recording.

My hope is that Nikon adds proxy recording to the microSD slot via firmware. That would actually make this choice useful.

Until then, it is something you will have to accept if you want this camera.

Sensor Specs and Video Performance

The ZR uses the Nikon Z mount, giving you access to native Nikon lenses and a huge selection of adapted glass.

Inside, it features a partially stacked sensor with 7.5 stops of in body image stabilization. Dual ISO sits at 800 and 6400. Video specs include:

• Up to 6K at 60fps in full frame
• 4K at 120fps with a 1.5x crop

The FX3 offers a smaller crop at 4K 120fps, but personally I shoot 60fps far more often, so this does not bother me.

If these specs sound familiar, that is because the ZR shares its sensor with the Nikon Z6 III, which I still consider one of the best value cameras Nikon has ever made.

Aggressive Pricing That Makes No Sense (In a Good Way)

Here’s where things get interesting.

The Z6 III launched at $2500. The ZR is a more video focused camera, built in collaboration with RED, and it costs $2200.

That is not how this usually works.

Sony, Panasonic, and Canon all charge more for their cinema focused versions. Nikon did the opposite.

Considering the FX3 now costs around $4100, the ZR comes in at nearly half the price.

That alone makes it impossible to ignore.

Internal RAW Recording in Three Formats

This is the headline feature.

The ZR supports three internal RAW formats, which is the widest RAW support I have ever seen in a camera.

Nikon N-RAW

N-RAW has always looked fantastic and plays back smoothly in DaVinci Resolve. It is reliable, efficient, and easy to work with.

ProRes RAW

ProRes RAW is here as well, but support across editing software is still limited. I personally struggle to recommend it unless your workflow demands it.

RED RAW

Yes, this camera records RED RAW internally. This has never existed outside of a dedicated RED box camera.

There are limitations. It is 12 bit instead of 16 bit, and compression options are fixed. That may be a dealbreaker for some, but remember the price. This is still the cheapest RED camera ever made.

More importantly, the color science matches RED cameras incredibly well, making it a fantastic match for multi camera shoots.

Autofocus That Actually Matters

One of my biggest hopes for this Nikon and RED collaboration was Nikon’s autofocus.

Thankfully, it is excellent.

Autofocus is fast, reliable, and capable of detecting people, animals, and objects. It is fully competitive with Sony and Canon.

Considering RED cameras have never been known for strong autofocus, this is one of the biggest upgrades RED has ever received.

32 Bit Float Audio Done the Right Way

This might be my favorite feature.

The ZR supports internal 32 bit float audio recording through the 3.5mm microphone jack. No adapter required.

Panasonic cameras require a $500 XLR adapter for this. Other cameras require external recorders. The ZR does not.

Plug in a shotgun mic, lav, or wireless system, and you get 32 bit float audio internally.

That keeps rigs smaller, lighter, and far simpler.

Wireless 32 Bit Float with Hollyland Lark Max 2

I tested the ZR with the Hollyland Lark Max 2, which supports full chain 32 bit float audio.

Running the receiver into the ZR’s mic jack works flawlessly. I recovered audio that was clipped by over 20dB with no issues.

It is genuinely impressive.

Timecode and Ports

The ZR supports timecode over Bluetooth or HDMI, just like previous Nikon cameras.

It does use a micro HDMI port, which is not ideal, but the 4 inch screen makes an external monitor less necessary for many shooters.

There is no dedicated timecode port, so Tentacle or Deity systems will need to use the mic input.

Overheating Tests in Texas Heat

This was my biggest concern.

The FX3 has a fan. The ZR does not.

I tested two ZR cameras outdoors in direct sunlight at 91 degrees Fahrenheit. One recorded 6K 60fps RED RAW. The other recorded 6K 24fps RED RAW.

The results were shocking.

• 6K 60fps recorded for 1 hour, 21 minutes before overheating
• 6K 24fps recorded for over 1 hour, 23 minutes with no warnings

The 24fps camera likely would have lasted until the battery died.

This performance is closer to the Sony a7S III than anything else, and that is excellent news.

Final Verdict: Is the ZR an FX3 Killer?

In many ways, yes.

• Higher resolution
• Internal RED RAW and Nikon RAW
• 32 bit float audio with no adapter
• Larger screen
• Nearly half the price

There are compromises though. The microSD card slot is strange. There is no dual card recording. There is no fan.

But at $2200, this camera is absurdly competitive.

It feels more Nikon than RED, and that will matter depending on your background. For me, that familiarity is a positive.

When you compare the ZR to a $4100 FX3, it is very hard not to call this an FX3 killer.

Let me know what you think!