That doesn't sound unexciting: Nikon Rumors are said to have heard rumors that the Nikon ZR camera will soon offer an external recording option via USB. Some manufacturers (including Apple, Blackmagic and Panasonic) already offer the option of connecting an external SSD to their cameras via USB and recording large video files inexpensively. However, the major Japanese camera players such as Canon, Nikon or Sony have not yet offered their users this storage option.
This could soon change with Nikon. A new firmware update is said to be rolled out shortly after the camera's launch in about a month around October 20th, which will add this feature for the Nikon ZR. This would make it the first camera in the Nikon Z series to enable direct external SSD recording via USB.
Especially because of the large amounts of data that can be generated when recording in RED-RAW, this option should be very well received by many users.
Is external SSD recording coming soon through a Nikon ZR firmware update?
Compared to an external RAW recording via HDMI, an SSD has several advantages: Firstly, no special RAW recorder like the Atomos Ninja is required for recording and secondly, the original RED RAW is retained in this way, while Atomos can "only" record ProRes RAW. Also, in the best case, you only need one connection cable and no additional power supply for an external SSD. And since the Nikon ZR already has a fairly large display itself, the desire for an external monitor on the Nikon ZR may not be as pronounced as with other DSLMs.
Nikon seems to be taking every opportunity to follow up its intentions to gain more ground in the cine market with corresponding feature deeds. Which certainly appeals not only to us...
;)