Nikon
Z fc
Retro APS-C Z camera with dial controls and compact style.
$999
Released Jun 2021
Nikon
ZR
Compact Nikon RED full-frame 6K cinema camera with R3D NE RAW, 32-bit float audio, 7.5-stop VR, and Z mount.
$2,199
Released Sep 2025
ZR is 4.2 years newer.
Wins
Z fc
Wins
ZR
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AZ fc has higher Burst (mechanical) (11 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZR has higher IBIS effectiveness (7.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZR has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 11 fps)
- BZR has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZR has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z fc
135 × 94 × 44 mm
390 g (0.86 lb / 13.76 oz)
ZR
134 × 81 × 49 mm
630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)
Z fc is 6mm thinner than ZR but it is also 1mm wider and 13mm taller.
Z fc is 240 g lighter than ZR.
Depth (front-to-back): 44mm Z fc · 49mm ZR
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z fc
135 × 94 mm
ZR
134 × 81 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z fc
135 × 44 mm
ZR
134 × 49 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z fc
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
ZR
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z fc
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
ZR
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Z fc
Burst (mechanical)
11 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.5, 93.5, 43.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Weight
390 g vs 630 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
ZR
Codecs
Adds R3D NE, N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ…
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.5, 49
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD, MicroSD UHS-I
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Birds, Cars, Bicycles…
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only ZR supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 51,200
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z fc
Pros
- ✓Retro design
- ✓Compact
- ✓Good JPEG
Cons
- –No IBIS
- –Older sensor
- –Limited grip
ZR
Pros
- ✓6K/60p R3D NE RAW
- ✓32-bit float audio
- ✓7.5-stop stabilization
- ✓Compact 535g cinema body
Cons
- –No built-in EVF
- –Cinema-first ergonomics
- –Single CFexpress plus MicroSD workflow
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Z fc or ZR?
ZR scores 7.0/10 versus 0.0/10 for Z fc — Full-frame sensor — wider dynamic range.
What's the resolution difference between the Z fc and ZR?
Z fc is 20.9 MP and ZR is 24.5 MP, so the ZR captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z fc and ZR have in-body image stabilization?
Z fc does not have IBIS, while zR has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z fc or the ZR?
Z fc reaches 11 fps electronic. ZR reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z fc and ZR?
Z fc weighs 390 g and ZR weighs 630 g, so the Z fc is 240 g lighter.
Do the Z fc and ZR record 4K video?
Z fc: 4K up to 30p. ZR: 6K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Z fc and ZR weather sealed?
Z fc: No. ZR: Yes.
How much does each cost?
Z fc launched at $999 and ZR at $2,199. The Z fc is $1,200 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.