Nikon has officially announced it’s developing dedicated Nikkor Z Cinema Lenses, marking a significant expansion into the professional cinema market following the launch of their ZR compact cinema camera. The announcement came during IBC 2025 in Amsterdam, where Nikon executives revealed their ambitious plans for the Z Cinema ecosystem.

Nikon began considering cinema lenses after acquiring RED, with company officials stating “We are actively considering lens development that is in demand in the cinema market.” This strategic move aligns with Nikon’s broader push into cinema following their acquisition of RED less than a week before NAB 2024.

Nikon will be releasing a whole new line of cine lenses for the Z Cinema system, which currently includes the Raptor X, Komodo X, and the new Raptor XE, all featuring Z-mount compatibility. These dedicated cinema lenses will differ from their current Z Cinema power zoom optic, the 28-135mm f/4 PZ, which is more of a hybrid lens designed for both photography and video applications.

Expect power zoom compatibility, geared focus rings, and apertures measured in T-stops, rather than F-stops in the upcoming cinema lens lineup. Most cinematographers rely on about half a dozen primes, ranging from 14mm or 18mm through to 135mm, suggesting Nikon’s cinema lens roadmap will likely follow this established industry standard.

The way things are going, Nikon / RED will comfortably sit alongside Sony and Canon, Panasonic and Blackmagic in the cinema space in no time, positioning the company as a formidable competitor in professional videography equipment.

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