Nikon Middle East & Africa has introduced the Nikon ZR, a new entry in its Z Cinema lineup, during a red-carpet premiere at VOX Cinemas, Deira City Centre, Dubai. The launch event, titled “Nikon ZR Premier,” marked the regional debut of the camera developed in collaboration with RED Digital Cinema. The evening featured screenings, hands-on demos, and appearances by filmmakers and creators from across the Middle East and Africa, underscoring Nikon’s continued investment in the professional video segment.
The Nikon ZR is positioned as a compact full-frame cinema camera that blends Nikon’s imaging expertise with RED’s established video technology. It features a full-frame sensor capable of recording in Nikon’s new R3D NE RAW format — a joint development with RED — supporting up to 6K/59.94p capture and 15+ stops of dynamic range. The camera also introduces dual base ISO levels of 800 and 6400, allowing for flexibility across lighting conditions without sacrificing image detail or color accuracy.
One of the Nikon ZR’s standout features is its inclusion of 32-bit float audio recording, making it the first interchangeable-lens full-frame camera to support that format. This is complemented by OZO Audio integration, developed for spatial sound recording, and a compact body weighing approximately 540 grams. Additional highlights include advanced subject detection autofocus, a high-brightness 4.0-inch DCI-P3 display, and in-camera RAW recording — all aimed at professionals seeking cinematic quality in a portable form factor.
Narendra Menon, Managing Director of Nikon Middle East & Africa, described the ZR as a convergence of Nikon’s camera technology and RED’s color science, offering creators professional-grade video capabilities in a smaller, more accessible package. The launch emphasized Nikon’s ongoing strategy to make high-end video production tools more widely available to independent filmmakers, documentary creators, and digital storytellers.
The premiere event mirrored the feel of a film festival opening, complete with screenings that showcased the ZR’s output. Attendees viewed several short films produced using the camera, including works by regional filmmakers such as Mohammad Rezaie, Dr. Ali Mohamad, and Yobel Muchang. The evening concluded with remarks from Nikon Ambassador Majed AlZaabi, highlighting how the ZR aims to bridge professional cinema workflows and compact camera design.
The Nikon ZR is now available across the Middle East and Africa through authorized Nikon dealers. More information, including full technical specifications, can be found at Nikon’s official regional website.
