Nikon is leaning hard into video, and two stories from the last two days show it. On November 4, Nikon shared more details about firmware 2.00 for the Nikon ZR, its compact video-first full-frame camera, and PetaPixel and DPReview both covered the update. Then on November 5, Nikon Rumors said it can confirm that drawings found in an FCC filing for a new Nikon wireless remote show the long-rumored Nikon Z70, a high-end APS-C camera with a dedicated REC button on the top plate. Nikon Rumors put it simply: Nikon is pushing more video into its cameras after buying RED.
We photograph events and headshots in San Antonio with the Nikon Z9 and Z8, and we have used both since each camera launched. We have not used the ZR, and the Z70 is not official yet, so this is not a review. It is a plain-language look at what was announced, what is still a rumor, and what it means if you are planning an event this season.
What Nikon announced for the ZR
Based on Nikon’s announcement as reported by PetaPixel and DPReview, firmware 2.00 is scheduled to arrive before the end of 2026 and brings:
- RED color in a smaller file. Log3G10, the log profile from RED, will work when recording in H.265. Until now it was tied to the much larger R3D NE raw format. Smaller files are easier to store, copy and edit after a long event.
- Control over noise reduction. Shooters can choose the level of High ISO noise reduction when recording in a log profile, which matters in dim rooms.
- Less low-light flicker. Nikon says new processing reduces frame-by-frame changes in black level, the kind of flicker that tends to show up in dark scenes and shadows.
- More buttons you can set up. ISO, exposure settings and white balance can now be assigned to the command dials and function buttons, and 3D LUTs can be switched with one press.
- Better monitoring. Focus peaking works with a LUT applied in R3D NE, and a LUT can be sent to an HDMI monitor for previewing.
The bigger features Nikon promised in September, open gate recording and in-camera anamorphic desqueeze, are still planned for 2027, not this update.
What we know, and do not know, about the Z70
- What is reported. Nikon Rumors says the camera drawn in the manual for the new N2416 remote is the Z70, and that the extra top-plate button is for video recording. Earlier, a Nikon Singapore promo for the new 120-300mm lens mentioned a “Z70” with a digital teleconverter, and Digital Camera World walked through what that caption could mean.
- What is not confirmed. Nikon has not announced the Z70. Sensor, price and release date are all unconfirmed, and Nikon Rumors says it will share expected specs and pricing soon. Treat every number you see as a rumor until Nikon makes it official.
Why this matters at real events
The room in the photo above is a good example of what event cameras deal with: warm pendant lights, pink and purple LED uplighting, a bright projection screen and a crowd moving around. That mix is hard on both photos and video. Here is what the ZR update and a more video-minded Nikon lineup point toward:
- Colored LED light is the norm now. Many venues use LED uplighting and screens. Cleaner shadows and less flicker in low light are exactly what a recap video from a dark reception or networking night needs.
- Smaller files help on long days. A full conference or gala produces a lot of footage. A lighter codec with good color makes it easier to deliver a highlight clip quickly.
- Faster controls mean fewer missed moments. Being able to change ISO or white balance without digging through menus is the same reason custom button setups matter so much on bodies like the Z9 and Z8 at fast-moving events.
- A video button on a stills camera. If the Z70 does land with a dedicated REC button, it is one more sign that hybrid shooting, photos and short clips from the same body, is becoming standard.
Practical tips for shooting in mixed LED light
- Watch for banding. Some LED lights and screens flicker at certain shutter speeds. Use your camera’s flicker reduction if it has one, and check a few frames on the back screen before the program starts.
- Pick one white balance on purpose. Auto white balance can swing between warm and magenta as lights change. A fixed setting keeps photos and clips consistent.
- Expose for faces, not the screen. Projection screens are much brighter than the room. Meter for the people, and let the screen go a little bright.
- Update firmware before the event, not the morning of. Install new firmware a few days ahead, then test your settings, so nothing surprises you at the venue.
If you want a compact video-first Nikon body, you can see the Nikon ZR at Adorama and compare it with other Nikon Z cameras in the same search.
Disclosure: some links in this post are affiliate links, which means Grey Bug Photography may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
What this means for San Antonio event and headshot clients
You do not need to follow camera firmware to get great photos of your event. What matters is that your photographer knows how your room is lit and has the right settings ready before guests arrive. When you book a conference, gala, networking night or headshot day in San Antonio, tell us about the lighting, the stage and any screens, and we will plan around them so your gallery looks clean and consistent.
For more on Nikon’s latest gear, read our take on the Nikon 120-300mm f/2.8 with a built-in teleconverter. If you have an event or headshot session coming up, reach out to Grey Bug Photography and we will talk through timing, lighting and delivery.
