The Nikon ZR already has a lot of different recording options, including REDCODE RAW 12-Bit, ProRes RAW 12-Bit, ProRes 422 HQ 4:2:2 10-Bit, H.265 4:2:0 8/10-Bit, and H.264 4:2:0 8-Bit. Via an upcoming firmware update, Nikon will also be adding ProRes 422 LT. Just to be clear, this isn’t something Nikon has suddenly decided to do, as this information has been listed on Nikon’s Japanese website since the camera was launched.
Adding ProRes 422 LT makes sense, especially for those who do not want to use a processor-intensive codec like H.265. ProRes is very easy to use and deal with, especially on Apple computers. It is also easily viewable by just about anyone without the need for additional software or an NLE.
With the ZR being affordably priced, it is bound to attract a lot of entry-based shooters and those doing social media content who don’t have any need to record in RAW or even ProRes 422HQ.
Apple ProRes 422 LT is a more highly compressed codec than Apple ProRes 422HQ, with less than half the data rate, which results in significantly smaller file sizes. The target data rate of Apple ProRes 422 LT is approximately 102 Mbps at 1920 x 1080 29.97 fps. As a comparison, H.265 at the same frame rate and resolution is around 50 Mbps.
The target data rate of Apple ProRes 422 LT is approximately 328 Mbps at 3840×2160 23.976p. As a comparison, H.265 at the same frame rate and resolution is around 190 Mbps.
If you are shooting 4K DCI at 24p in ProRes 422 LT, then you need around 148GB of storage to record for 1 hour. With ProRes 422HQ at the same resolution and frame rate, you need 318GB of storage to record for 1 hour.
If you move to 5376 x 3024 at 30p, which is the maximum resolution and frame rate when shooting in ProRes 422 HQ, you are burning through roughly 663GB per hour. With ProRes 422 LT, that drops to 308GB per hour.
Below you can see what the Nikon ZR currently records in.
ProRes RAW 12-Bit
UHD 6K (6048 x 3402) at 24.00/25/30.00 fps
DCI 4K (4030 x 2268) at 24.00/25/30.00/50/60.00/120 fps
UHD 4K (3984 x 2240) at 24.00/25/30.00/50/60.00 fps
REDCODE RAW 12-Bit
UHD 6K (6048 x 3402) at 24.00/25/30.00/50/60.00 fps
DCI 4K (4030 x 2268) at 24.00/25/30.00/50/60.00/120 fps
UHD 4K (3984 x 2240) at 24.00/25/30.00/50/60.00/100/120 fps
H.264 4:2:0 8-Bit
1920 x 1080 at 24.00/25/30.00/50/60.00 fps
H.265 4:2:0 8/10-Bit
5376 x 3024 at 24.00/25/30.00/50/60.00 fps
3840 x 2160 at 24.00/25/30.00/50/60.00/100/120 fps
1920 x 1080 at 24.00/25/30.00/50/60.00/100/120/200/240 fps
ProRes 422 HQ 4:2:2 10-Bit
5376 x 3024 at 24.00/25/30.00 fps
3840 x 2160 at 24.00/25/30.00/50/60.00 fps
1920 x 1080 at 50/60.00/100/120 fps
