After asserting the Nikon ZR final week, Nikon unveiled its new videocentric cinema digital camera to the general public for the primary time on the IBC 2025 Conference (a commerce present for the cinematography and videography {industry}) in Amsterdam, Netherlands. On the present, Digital Digicam World was given an unique alternative to place 5 inquiries to Nikon bigwigs Aihara-san (Basic Supervisor of UX Planning division in Nikon Imaging Enterprise Unit) and Noriaki Mochimizo (ZR Undertaking Supervisor).
Whereas Nikon is normally tight-lipped about its plans for future merchandise, the insiders did reveal {that a} new line of Nikkor Z Cinema lenses is within the works, and hinted at future developments for the Z Cinema line. Right here’s what they needed to say…
DCW: The Nikon ZR prices considerably lower than Crimson’s current Raptor and Komodo cameras, so who’s it geared toward?
Nikon: The ZR is designed for a variety of functions, from private tasks to skilled shopper tasks as properly. It is also supposed for use with Crimson cameras collectively in full-scale cinema manufacturing. So fairly a variety!
Due to the all-in-one usability within the compact type issue, we count on the first target market shall be content material creators who work independently or in a small operation. We want many individuals to expertise cinema industry-standard workflow, particularly R3D NE, inner Uncooked recording, and in addition post-production with rather more flexibility and creativity. And in that sense, the ZR ought to be an amazing choice for younger content material creators.
What’s the standards for Z Cinema merchandise? Will full-frame be a base requirement somewhat than APS-C sensor cameras? Or may a ‘Z30 II’ probably be part of the Z Cinema line?
The Z Cinema Line is a cinema-focused product, and it is designed for high-end cinema manufacturing and creators combining applied sciences of Nikon and Crimson. However, the present Z-series mirrorless collection is constructed for hybrid customers who take pleasure in each images and videography.
Sensor measurement will not be related to the product line definition itself, so we would have completely different sensor-size cinema cameras. We already do have a VV sensor and a full-frame sensor. Each belong to the Z-Cinema line.
As normal, we can’t present particular details about future merchandise. However the Z Cinema collection shall be developed as a lineup designed with cinema-quality manufacturing in thoughts.
Can we count on to see a line of Z Cinema videocentric lenses to hitch the 28-135mm f/4 PZ or for Nikon to open up the Z-mount to third-party cinema lenses?
First, the ZR is, after all, appropriate with all current Nikkor Z lenses, and most of them are very succesful for video taking pictures. Additionally, because of the Z-mount profit, which has the shortest flange focal distance of solely 16mm, the ZR can be utilized with a variety of other-mount lenses, by way of mount adaptors, together with Nikkor F-mount lenses, that are extremely popular for cinema manufacturing. Concerning third-party cine lenses, we have now signed a Z-mount license settlement with Leitz, and their new Z-mount cinema lenses are at present on show at IBC.
And eventually, that is going to be massive information for you! Speaking about T-point cinema lenses, we would wish to make an official announcement proper right here: Nikon is now creating Nikkor Cinema Lenses. They’re beneath growth proper now, so it may take a while till they launch. We’ve got accomplished in depth analysis with Crimson to grasp the wants within the cinema {industry}. However we have now already begun growth. So, yeah, sit up for it!
Any plans for an 8K Z Cinema mannequin, maybe based mostly on the Z8/Z9’s higher-res 45.7Mp sensor – or perhaps a future ‘world shutter’ sensor?
So let’s contact on what the Z Cinema line is, as a result of we have now each Crimson cameras and Nikon cameras beneath the identical class model. In February this 12 months, we launched the Z Cinema line, which is designed for filmmakers and creators, combining the applied sciences of Nikon and Crimson. We’ve got three Crimson cameras: the Raptor X, Komodo X, and the brand new Raptor XE, which all have the Z mount, so they’re additionally Z Cinema cameras. And the ZR has simply joined the Z Cinema household as a brand new child. So we now have 4 cameras.
So speaking about an 8K Z Cinema mannequin, in that sense, we have already got the Raptor X and Raptor XE; they’re all a part of, to illustrate, the Nikon and Crimson household. And as Nikon and Crimson, we’ll hold providing a variety of merchandise relying on buyer wants, from top-end cinema manufacturing to private tasks. So prospects can select what they need by way of excessive decision or excessive body charge, relying on their wants.
So beneath the Z Cinema class, we have now to date just one digital camera from Nikon’s aspect. However we have now each manufacturers beneath the identical Z Cinema line.
How did you handle to realize 32-bit float audio in-camera?
We count on that almost all customers will work solo or in small crews, so we adopted 32-bit float audio recording to remove the necessity to set audio enter sensitivity, permitting creators to give attention to taking pictures.
To supply the benefit of making video solo, or inside a small staff, moreover, I’d like to say in regards to the design. To help the dynamic vary required for 32-bit float, the audio circuit was essentially redesigned, leading to improved sound high quality, with the microphones are positioned subsequent to the accent shoe.
Do not miss our in-depth report on the launch of the Nikon ZR, and our first impressions of the digital camera in our hands-on overview!