SUMMARY
Matt Day tested the Nikon ZR, a camera born from a Nikon and RED collaboration, as an everyday tool, finding it surprisingly capable for both photography and videography. Despite its initial appearance as a specialist device, Day discovered its compact form factor, flip-out monitor, and usable manual focus features make it suitable for casual shooting. While H.265 footage was less sharp than expected, testing the R3D codec revealed impressive color fidelity and flexibility, though with significant storage demands. The ZR also presents trade-offs like a micro HDMI port and shared battery/card compartment, but these may not impact users focused on internal recording.
TAKEAWAYS
The Nikon ZR, a Nikon and RED collaboration, performs well as an everyday camera for photos and video.
Its compact design and flip-out monitor are key advantages for casual use.
The R3D codec offers excellent color flexibility, though it requires substantial storage.
The camera features a 24-megapixel sensor shared with the Nikon Z 6III, enhancing photo capabilities.