Adobe has stopped working on adding N-RAW support to all of their products, in a move reportedly taken at Nikon’s behest. This could mean big things are afoot.
The Nikon Z9 and Z8 currently use the TicoRAW based N-RAW codec, which is basically obsolete post-RED buyout. It simply doesn’t enjoy the same industry recognition, support or prestige that REDcode does.
The question is – how exactly is Nikon going to achieve this? Did Nikon start preparations for a RED takeover much further back than we realise? The ASIC in the Z8 and Z9 is an extremely powerful processor but surely adding R3D recording takes more than a mere firmware update?
Either way it looks like N-RAW is on the way out. This from the official Adobe site:
Sure, the possibility remains that Adobe are just awaiting clarification from Nikon about what exactly the future holds for N-RAW post RED buyout before they commit more resources to supporting it.
But in my opinion N-RAW should now be seen as nothing but a stop gap. In fact the image quality benefits to my eye didn’t give N-RAW on the Z9 an advantage on the Sony a1’s highest H.265 setting in S-LOG 3 as I talked about here.
There’s also the possibility that future RED cameras will now get HVEC H.265 recording.
Meanwhile on the sensors front – let’s just say Sony might be getting some competition.
