Summary
- Nikon is developing firmware 2.00 for the ZR with release scheduled during 2026
- Support for Log3G10 and REDWideGamutRGB is planned for H.265 recording
- Adjustable High ISO NR for H.265 Log and focus peaking in R3D NE are planned
- Open gate and anamorphic desqueeze are being developed with a 2027 target
- RED is preparing remote control through RED CONTROL and RED CONTROL PRO
Nikon is preparing RED Log recording in H.265 for the ZR during 2026, while open gate recording and anamorphic desqueeze are being developed with a 2027 target.
On September 8, 2026, Nikon announced the development of firmware 2.00 for the Nikon ZR, the full-frame cinema camera in its Z CINEMA series. According to the company’s official announcement, the update is scheduled for release before the end of 2026, adding features to H.265 Log recording and focus assistance when shooting R3D NE. It is not yet available to install.
The main point of interest is the workflow: RED’s approach to colour is being extended to a recording option that also prioritises compact file sizes, without requiring RAW capture. This could have practical value for productions generating large amounts of footage, while the additional noise-reduction and focusing controls address decisions made during the shoot itself.
RED Log in H.265: what actually changes
The main addition in version 2.00 is support for Log3G10 and REDWideGamutRGB when recording in H.265. Log3G10 is a logarithmic tone curve, while REDWideGamutRGB is a colour space—not a separate video file format. Nikon describes the combination as a solution that maintains compact file sizes and substantial colour-grading latitude.
The ZR already uses Log3G10 in R3D NE, the RAW format developed for Nikon cameras with RED’s colour science. The news, therefore, is not that the camera is gaining RED Log for the first time, but that support is being extended to H.265.
This does not turn H.265 into RAW. R3D NE preserves sensor data and metadata that provide greater flexibility when changing exposure and white balance after shooting. The new option introduces a different balance between colour workflow and file management, rather than identical editing capabilities.
Noise-reduction control and focus peaking during recording
The new High ISO NR option will allow users to select the strength of noise reduction during H.265 Log recording, enabling image processing to better reflect the creator’s intent. The announcement does not yet specify the available levels or state whether complete deactivation will be possible.
Version 2.00 will also add focus peaking during R3D NE recording. The tool uses coloured outlines to highlight areas that appear to be in focus, making visual checks easier when focusing manually. This is an addition to focus assistance, not an announcement of a new autofocus system.
Open gate and anamorphic desqueeze: a 2027 target
Nikon confirms that it is developing open gate recording and a desqueeze display for anamorphic lenses, with the goal of incorporating them into ZR firmware during 2027. Neither feature is included in the announced list of additions for version 2.00 in 2026.
Open gate uses the sensor’s full or near-full image area instead of restricting capture from the outset to an aspect ratio such as 16:9. This preserves additional space above and below the final frame, which is useful for reframing and creating different horizontal or vertical versions of the same shot.
Desqueeze displays footage from anamorphic lenses in its correct proportions, so the operator does not have to judge framing with the horizontal compression introduced by the lens. It is an image-monitoring function and should not be confused with open gate recording.
For the specific implementation in the ZR, Nikon has not yet announced resolution, frame rates or available desqueeze factors. The year 2027 is a development target, not a specific release date.
Remote control through RED’s applications
RED is also preparing updates to RED CONTROL and RED CONTROL PRO to add remote-control capabilities for the Nikon ZR. The announcement provides neither a specific release date nor a detailed list of the functions that will be supported on this camera.
Which firmware is available today?
As of September 8, 2026, the Nikon Download Center for the ZR lists version 1.11 as available, with a release date of March 17, 2026. Version 2.00 remains under development, without an exact release day.
The new announcement follows firmware 1.10, which improved file naming and timecode synchronisation on the Nikon ZR. That version added, among other features, file naming with reel and clip information, as well as timecode synchronisation through an LTC input. The next major update shifts the emphasis towards colour and image control during capture.
What we think
Extending RED Log to H.265 has more practical relevance than simply adding another name to a menu: it gives filmmakers another option when they need a specific colour workflow without choosing RAW for every production. Peaking in R3D NE is also a targeted improvement for shooting.
However, the announcement describes features under development, not test results. Open gate and desqueeze, in particular, should be treated as future additions rather than capabilities already available when planning a production.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nikon ZR firmware 2.00 available?
No. Nikon has announced its development, with release scheduled before the end of 2026. As of September 8, 2026, the version available in the Download Center is 1.11.
Will version 2.00 include open gate recording?
It is not included in the announced feature list for version 2.00. Nikon is developing open gate and anamorphic desqueeze with the goal of incorporating them into ZR firmware in 2027.
Is H.265 recording with Log3G10 RAW?
No. Log3G10 is a logarithmic curve and REDWideGamutRGB is a colour space. Adding them to H.265 does not change the recording format to RAW. R3D NE remains a separate RAW option.
