Nikon has confirmed a substantial firmware roadmap for the Nikon ZR ($2,229.95 on Amazon), including two features that filmmakers have been waiting for since the camera’s introduction: Open Gate recording and anamorphic desqueeze monitoring. The company announced on September 8 that it is developing firmware version 2.00 for the Nikon ZR, its full-frame Z CINEMA camera released in October 2025. Firmware 2.00 is scheduled for release during 2026 and will introduce several workflow-oriented improvements, while Open Gate and anamorphic support are being developed for a subsequent firmware release targeted for 2027.

This isn’t just an update. It’s an evolution!

– Nikon

Open Gate and Anamorphic Desqueeze confirmed

Perhaps the most important part of Nikon’s announcement is not actually firmware 2.00, but what comes afterward. Nikon says it is developing additional firmware that will support Open Gate recording as well as a desqueeze display for anamorphic lenses. According to the company, these are among the features frequently requested by users. Both are planned for incorporation into ZR firmware in 2027. Open Gate is particularly relevant for a camera positioned within Nikon’s Z CINEMA lineup. Instead of recording from a conventional 16:9 or 17:9 portion of the sensor, Open Gate acquisition can utilize a larger sensor area and provide considerably more flexibility in post-production. This can be advantageous for anamorphic production, reframing, stabilization, and projects requiring several delivery formats from the same acquisition. Anamorphic desqueeze monitoring addresses the other side of that workflow, allowing cinematographers to monitor the image with the correct proportions while shooting with anamorphic optics. The absence of these capabilities has been discussed within the ZR filmmaking community, making Nikon’s confirmation significant even though users will have to wait until 2027 for their implementation. Early reactions following the announcement have particularly focused on Open Gate, with ZR users welcoming the confirmation while noting the relatively long development timeline.

Firmware 2.00 brings RED color management to H.265

Before those features arrive, Nikon ZR firmware version 2.00 will introduce another important development: support for Log3G10 and REDWideGamutRGB when recording H.265. Currently, the strongest connection between the ZR and RED’s imaging ecosystem is R3D NE, the RAW format developed for Nikon cameras using RED color science. Firmware 2.00 will extend elements of that workflow to the significantly more compact H.265 format. According to Nikon, the combination is intended to provide smaller file sizes while retaining substantial latitude for color grading. For productions where the storage requirements and data rates associated with RAW acquisition are unnecessary or impractical, this could make the ZR’s RED-oriented color workflow considerably easier to deploy. Firmware 2.00 will also introduce an option for controlling the amount of High ISO Noise Reduction during H.265 Log recording. This should give filmmakers additional control over how aggressively the camera processes footage at higher sensitivities rather than relying on a fixed noise-reduction implementation.

Focus Peaking during R3D NE recording

Another practical improvement is the addition of focus peaking while recording R3D NE. Focus peaking is already a fundamental monitoring tool for manual-focus cinema workflows, and its availability during R3D NE acquisition should make focus confirmation more practical when using cinema or adapted manual lenses. Nikon specifically describes the feature as providing more precise focus confirmation during R3D NE recording.

RED CONTROL is coming to the ZR

RED is also updating RED CONTROL and RED CONTROL PRO to support remote operation of the Nikon ZR. This is another indication of the increasingly close integration between Nikon’s Z CINEMA platform and RED’s existing cinema ecosystem. Rather than limiting RED technology in the ZR to the R3D NE recording format, Nikon and RED are gradually extending that integration across color management, camera control, and production workflow.

The ZR continues to evolve

Open Gate recording, anamorphic monitoring, REDWideGamutRGB and Log3G10 support in H.265, R3D NE focus peaking, and RED CONTROL compatibility collectively expand the ZR’s capabilities as a dedicated filmmaking tool. For ZR users, however, there are effectively two timelines. Firmware version 2.00 is scheduled for 2026, bringing the H.265 RED color workflow, High ISO NR control, and R3D NE focus peaking. Open Gate and anamorphic desqueeze are planned for 2027. The community has been waiting for some of these capabilities, particularly Open Gate and proper anamorphic monitoring. Nikon has now confirmed that they are on the development roadmap. The remaining question is exactly when in 2027 filmmakers will be able to use them.