Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
RoamingScott
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p.4 #1Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
FusionX.Photo wrote:
It has no grip. Why is that? Because it's not made to be used primarly as a handheld stills camera, it's meant to be used as a video camera on a gimble, or with a cage like this:
https://static.smallrig.com/mall/img/public/bjaiin7v2yo-1768903513035_.jpg
Nearly every piece of footage I've seen has the shooter using something like this as a bare minimum:
https://media.imaging-resource.com/2025/09/01042406/SmallRig-Nikon-ZR-Cage-Kits-Announcement.jpg
The ZR wasn't built to be a compact stills option while running naked...it was designed to be slim so that it could be augmented via these cages to customize the functionality for video shooters.
This is akin to complaints about how a McLaren handes traffic on the 405.You couldn't be more wrong
I'm wrong that the ZR was designed to be a video camera first?
Ok, bud
I'm glad that you enjoy it for stills, but the Z 24-120 is a lens that feels good on every other Z camera simply because it's so well balanced internally, so probably not the best example and certainly not a lens that serious videographers are reaching for first.
Regarding the hot shoe and a possible removable EVF...Nikon's first order of business is to make money, and this would become such a stupid-niche product, especially at 24mp, that it would be laughed out of the boardroom. Would be fun as hell to play with, though.
RoamingScott wrote
I feel like people trying to use the ZR as a stills camera first is a classic example of the type of hardheadedness we see a lot of around here.It has no grip. Why is that? Because it's not made to be used primarly as a handheld stills camera, it's meant to be used as a video camera on a gimble, or with a cage like this:
https://static.smallrig.com/mall/img/public/bjaiin7v2yo-1768903513035_.jpg
Nearly every piece of footage I've seen has the shooter using something like this as a bare minimum:
https://media.imaging-resource.com/2025/09/01042406/SmallRig-Nikon-ZR-Cage-Kits-Announcement.jpg
The ZR wasn't built to be a compact stills option while running naked...it was designed to be slim so that it could be augmented via these cages to customize the functionality for video shooters.
This is akin to complaints about how a McLaren handes traffic on the 405.
I'm wrong that the ZR was designed to be a video camera first?
Ok, bud
I'm glad that you enjoy it for stills, but the Z 24-120 is a lens that feels good on every other Z camera simply because it's so well balanced internally, so probably not the best example and certainly not a lens that serious videographers are reaching for first. Regarding the hot shoe and a possible removable EVF...Nikon's first order of business is to make money, and this would become such a stupid-niche product, especially at 24mp, that it would be laughed out of the boardroom. Would be fun as hell to play with, though.
Feb 17, 2026 at 06:28 PM
p.4 #2Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
It really comes down to how many different cameras does Nikon need to have in their lineup.
Z30
Z50II
ZFc
Z5II
ZF
Z6III
Z8
Z9
ZR
Where would they put this stills-oriented camera? Is it replacing something else, or just further crowding the supply chain? If it's a new body design, that's a lot of different parts and production cycles to add into an already busy spread. Which sensor do they use? If targeting landscape users it's either sharing Z8/9 sensor, or something new entirely. That's not a cheap camera, and honestly probably the best place for them to nest into the lineup.
If it's the older 24mp non-stacked, it would have to be below the Z5, and that could be a bargain of a camera, undercutting the S9 but the "stills" crowd still won't like it lol.
Z30
Z50II
ZFc
Z5II
ZF
Z6III
Z8
Z9
ZR
Where would they put this stills-oriented camera? Is it replacing something else, or just further crowding the supply chain? If it's a new body design, that's a lot of different parts and production cycles to add into an already busy spread. Which sensor do they use? If targeting landscape users it's either sharing Z8/9 sensor, or something new entirely. That's not a cheap camera, and honestly probably the best place for them to nest into the lineup.
If it's the older 24mp non-stacked, it would have to be below the Z5, and that could be a bargain of a camera, undercutting the S9 but the "stills" crowd still won't like it lol.
Feb 17, 2026 at 06:40 PM
RoamingScott
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p.4 #3Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
They have the chance to do the FUNNIEST THING and release it as the Z7iii.
Feb 17, 2026 at 07:02 PM
p.4 #5Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
No EVF would be a bit of a tough sell I think, but the ZR does seem like it has superior ergonomics to the ZF which I found to be a bit hard to hold without additional grips.
Mar 01, 2026 at 02:22 AM
p.4 #6Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
i'd like a ZR-style body with the Z9 sensor for higher MP and higher flash sync speed..i use the Cambo and Nikon/WeMacro bellows setup a lot and ZR form factor fits well in that use case ..using tethering or external monitor is cumbersome for me.
A ZR body with a fixed lens as a Coolpix A replacement is no go for me... it's going to be too big considering Leica Q series manages to make one more compact with an EVF
A ZR body with a fixed lens as a Coolpix A replacement is no go for me... it's going to be too big considering Leica Q series manages to make one more compact with an EVF
Mar 01, 2026 at 07:50 AM
p.4 #7Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
Why cant anyone make one of these types of cameras but full frame? And no, the Sony A7C doesn't count.
Edited on Mar 04, 2026 at 12:22 PM · View previous versions
Mar 04, 2026 at 12:14 PM
RoamingScott
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p.4 #8Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
ottokbre wrote:
https://i.imgflip.com/alrd9c.jpg
Why cant anyone make one of these types of cameras but full frame? And no, the Sony A7C doesn't count.
https://imgur.com/a/G9pYIvg
https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fujifilm-x-e4-mirrorless-camera-gadgetmatch-20210209-02.jpg
I said it somewhere else, but at least for Nikon, the size of the Z mount itself is holding them back.
https://i.imgflip.com/alrd9c.jpg
Why cant anyone make one of these types of cameras but full frame? And no, the Sony A7C doesn't count.
https://imgur.com/a/G9pYIvg
https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fujifilm-x-e4-mirrorless-camera-gadgetmatch-20210209-02.jpg
I said it somewhere else, but at least for Nikon, the size of the Z mount itself is holding them back.
Mar 04, 2026 at 12:22 PM
p.4 #9Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
RoamingScott wrote:
I said it somewhere else, but at least for Nikon, the size of the Z mount itself is holding them back.
Panasonic, Sigma, and Nikon have all released "content creator" cameras.
The L-alliance loves their FF shutterless hybrid cameras with no EVF. Are those flying off the shelf or something? Seems like Sony locked that market down years ago with APSC and 1" cameras. Nikon was smart enough to undercut them in the cinema camera cross over market.
There is an obvious demand for EVF rangefinder styled camera. The X-E5 is selling like hot cakes. Fuji will have gone 5 years without an X-Pro in production. JFC guys, build it and they will come!
I said it somewhere else, but at least for Nikon, the size of the Z mount itself is holding them back.
Panasonic, Sigma, and Nikon have all released "content creator" cameras.
The L-alliance loves their FF shutterless hybrid cameras with no EVF. Are those flying off the shelf or something? Seems like Sony locked that market down years ago with APSC and 1" cameras. Nikon was smart enough to undercut them in the cinema camera cross over market.
There is an obvious demand for EVF rangefinder styled camera. The X-E5 is selling like hot cakes. Fuji will have gone 5 years without an X-Pro in production. JFC guys, build it and they will come!
Mar 04, 2026 at 12:28 PM
RoamingScott
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p.4 #10Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
ottokbre wrote:
Panasonic, Sigma, and Nikon have all released "content creator" cameras.
The L-alliance loves their FF shutterless hybrid cameras with no EVF. Are those flying off the shelf or something? Seems like Sony locked that market down years ago with APSC and 1" cameras. Nikon was smart enough to undercut them in the cinema camera cross over market.
There is an obvious demand for EVF rangefinder styled camera. The X-E5 is selling like hot cakes. Fuji will have gone 5 years without an X-Pro in production. JFC guys, build it and they will come!
The fact that so many people are buying awful old point and shoots also shows that there's plenty of room at the table for a new generation of them. Small is the new hotness!
RoamingScott wrote
I said it somewhere else, but at least for Nikon, the size of the Z mount itself is holding them back.The L-alliance loves their FF shutterless hybrid cameras with no EVF. Are those flying off the shelf or something? Seems like Sony locked that market down years ago with APSC and 1" cameras. Nikon was smart enough to undercut them in the cinema camera cross over market.
There is an obvious demand for EVF rangefinder styled camera. The X-E5 is selling like hot cakes. Fuji will have gone 5 years without an X-Pro in production. JFC guys, build it and they will come!
The fact that so many people are buying awful old point and shoots also shows that there's plenty of room at the table for a new generation of them. Small is the new hotness!
Mar 04, 2026 at 12:31 PM
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p.4 #11Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
RoamingScott wrote:
It has no grip. Why is that? Because it's not made to be used primarly as a handheld stills camera, it's meant to be used as a video camera on a gimble, or with a cage like this:
Based on this logic, the entire Leica line is a collection of video cameras.
It has no grip. Why is that? Because it's not made to be used primarly as a handheld stills camera, it's meant to be used as a video camera on a gimble, or with a cage like this:
Based on this logic, the entire Leica line is a collection of video cameras.
Mar 04, 2026 at 12:58 PM
p.4 #12Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
Anyone saying the ZR has no grip is ignorant to the extreme.
Mar 08, 2026 at 06:43 AM
p.4 #13Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
JJkawa1 wrote:
No EVF would be a bit of a tough sell I think, but the ZR does seem like it has superior ergonomics to the ZF which I found to be a bit hard to hold without additional grips.
Night and day, the ZR grip is a very clever design, if it's judged by online images alone I get it but once in the hand you can feel a huge difference.
No EVF would be a bit of a tough sell I think, but the ZR does seem like it has superior ergonomics to the ZF which I found to be a bit hard to hold without additional grips.
Night and day, the ZR grip is a very clever design, if it's judged by online images alone I get it but once in the hand you can feel a huge difference.
Mar 08, 2026 at 06:46 AM
p.4 #14Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
xe5 is the style Nikon should be chasing in FF.
Mar 08, 2026 at 07:10 AM
p.4 #15Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
Looks like it's going to be a compact fixed lens camera like some predicted here, hoping for
- Stacked sensor or Mechanical shutter for flash.
- OIS
https://nikonrumors.com/2026/04/29/firts-rumors-about-a-new-nikon-compact-full-frame-fixed-lens-camera.aspx/
- Stacked sensor or Mechanical shutter for flash.
- OIS
https://nikonrumors.com/2026/04/29/firts-rumors-about-a-new-nikon-compact-full-frame-fixed-lens-camera.aspx/
Apr 29, 2026 at 04:22 PM
RoamingScott
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p.4 #16Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
It would have to be quite small to be compelling to me as an EVF-less option. If it has the ZR body size and screen, and very few physical controls, it's gonna be a flop. A very bright, high-res 3" screen though...
The people asking for a compact camera are talking X-E5 (large end) to Ricoh (small end) level size.
Just give us a damn Coolpix already!
The people asking for a compact camera are talking X-E5 (large end) to Ricoh (small end) level size.
Just give us a damn Coolpix already!
Apr 29, 2026 at 04:34 PM
p.4 #17Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
A fixed lens and no IBIS would pretty much kill any interest I have in such a camera. Judging by Sony, Fuji, and Leica, there is a market for such cameras, though.
Apr 29, 2026 at 04:36 PM
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p.4 #18Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
DWOfPaul wrote:
A fixed lens and no IBIS would pretty much kill any interest I have in such a camera. Judging by Sony, Fuji, and Leica, there is a market for such cameras, though.
A wide lens doesn't need IBIS to still be super useful (X100V is a prime example).
The IBIS in the VI just made the damn thing hot all the time.
A fixed lens and no IBIS would pretty much kill any interest I have in such a camera. Judging by Sony, Fuji, and Leica, there is a market for such cameras, though.
A wide lens doesn't need IBIS to still be super useful (X100V is a prime example).
The IBIS in the VI just made the damn thing hot all the time.
Apr 29, 2026 at 04:41 PM
p.4 #19Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
I am super interested in this...if they can keep it around x100 size that would be a day one buy for me and I really prefer my Zf images over my old x100vi I sold. I don't mind no IBIS, especially if it helps keep the size smaller. The low light performance of my Zf is insane so I have no problem shooting 12800+ ISO to keep my shutter speed up.
Apr 29, 2026 at 04:44 PM
p.4 #20Rumor: ZR-style camera for stills
the more nothing comes out in this space, the happier I am with the original Z7.
Apr 29, 2026 at 06:33 PM