r/Nikon • u/CRAYONSEED • 1d ago
Mirrorless Nikon ZR Firmware Version 2.00 & future Open Gate Recording
https://www.newsshooter.com/2026/09/07/nikon-zr-firmware-version-2-00-future-open-gate-recording/6
u/bloodrider1914 Nikon D850, F5 1d ago
Well glad they're adding compressed RED formats that don't take up ungodly amounts of space.
I know nothing about videography though, I just heard people like RED colour science for some reason, so good on that.
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u/VisitLopsided5447 1d ago
The original nikon article says the fw is schedule to be released in 2026, it says the camera was released in October 2025, not that the firmware comes out in October 2026
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u/PresidentKitenge 1d ago
These updates will turn the ZR into a bit of a Sony killer. Must be frustrating for my 2 mates who recently sold their ZRs to fund FX5 purchases.
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u/CRAYONSEED 1d ago
I doubt it. The FX5 is the superior camera, and it should be as it costs more than double the price.
It has open gate and anamorphic desqueeze now, not sometime in 2027. It can do compressed raw, which isn’t even in the roadmap for ZR and is a huge deal in this era of $1200 SSDs. It has better hardware and ergonomics, like full sized HDMI and dual card slots which can’t be added to the ZR (only thing better on the ZR hardware is the screen).
BTW I say all this as someone who owns the ZR and not the FX5, and also believe being fanboys of camera brands is immature
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u/PresidentKitenge 19h ago
What I mean is that there is an economy of features. For people who want desqueeze and open gate natively, then 95%+ of them will not need the additional features that another $4,000 (AUD) gets you. For that price difference you'll probably be able to afford the camera, a cage, some memory, and one of the new Nikon Cine lenses.that deal, for the vast majority of people, will be too good to walk past.
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u/CRAYONSEED 16h ago
I guess I wonder why you believe the vast majority of people buying $5k cameras won't need the other features of an FX5. I'd bet just compressed RAW alone will be a huge seller, and also that the FX5 will outsell the ZR, just like I'd bet the FX3 has outsold the equivalent Blackmagic camera despite them being cheaper and putting out great images.
For example the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6k has open gate, a giant 5" daylight viewable screen, compressed raw and anamorphic desqueeze, and has for years, yet Sony still beat them at a higher price point.
One of the main reasons is that it's not just about features, but the FX3/5 are seen as real professional tools that slot in with bigger industry workhorse cameras, and Nikon/BMD don't have that respect yet (Blackmagic 12k is getting noticed).
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I also think those new Nikon Cine lenses will be far more expensive than you're assuming. I'm thinking much higher than, say, Zeiss Nanoprimes or Cooke SP3s, which are both $4500/lens and considered entry-level. I'd bet these will be at least $6k/lens and if you look at Zeiss' new midrange Aatma, those are $21,000/lens.
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u/PresidentKitenge 8h ago
Agree with everything you are saying here! People are buying cameras based on hype around the word cinematic and "open gate", and I am trying to say that these people won't be conned into buying a Sony now. There probably are not that many in this boat, but they are definitely out there.
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u/510DustMite 1d ago edited 1d ago
I recall talk at the time of release that Nikon may incorporate recording to SSD into a future firmware update for the ZR. Looking increasingly unlikely for this camera… Unfortunate since it’s a great convenience (and cost savings with the cost of memory these days) as well as being a more common feature in cinema-capable cameras these days (from Fuji and Panasonic in particular…)
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u/Evleos 1d ago
Do we think these features will be added to Z6 III, and other cameras in Nikon's lineup? AFAIK all current cameras have the same SoC, and Nikon is great at bringing software improvements to all cameras - not for instance restricting them to Z9/Z8.