Cinema powerhouse Arri elevates its premier film camera to exceptional levels through a substantial update
The filmmaking industry is abuzz with excitement as Arri unveils the Alexa 35 Xtreme, a performance upgrade to its flagship Alexa 35 digital cinema camera. This latest innovation promises to set a new benchmark for versatility, speed, and post-production efficiency in high-end digital cinema.
The Alexa 35 Xtreme boasts significantly higher frame rates, reaching up to 660 fps, a feat that is sure to captivate filmmakers seeking high-speed action footage. This high-speed capability is complemented by the camera's ability to retain its impressive 17 stops of dynamic range at frame rates up to 330 fps. For those requiring even higher dynamic range, a new Sensor Overdrive mode pushes the frame rate ceiling to 660 fps, delivering 11 stops of dynamic range.
One of the key features of the Alexa 35 Xtreme is the introduction of Arricore, a next-generation RGB codec. Designed to reduce data rates while preserving image quality, Arricore aims to make high-speed shooting more accessible by reducing storage requirements and post-production costs. This codec fits seamlessly into existing Alexa 35 workflows, supporting Arri Look File ALF4, metadata handling, MXF wrapper, and audio.
The Alexa 35 Xtreme also offers about five times longer pre-recording times, which is particularly beneficial for documentary filmmaking. At 24 fps in Apple ProRes 422 HQ HD, the camera can pre-roll for a remarkable 5 minutes. When shooting in 4.6K open gate at 24 fps using Apple ProRes 4444, the pre-roll extends to up to 30 seconds.
In addition to its technical improvements, the Alexa 35 Xtreme maintains full compatibility with Arri's robust accessory ecosystem, ensuring a seamless transition for existing Alexa 35 users. It also offers improved wireless capabilities, making it more responsive to on-set tools like the Arri Camera Companion App.
The Alexa 35 Xtreme is designed for high-end filmmakers, offering a suite of new capabilities. Notably, it maintains its compact housing and interface layout, ensuring a familiar feel for those already familiar with the Alexa 35. Moreover, the camera has a 10% reduction in power consumption compared to its predecessor, making it a more sustainable choice for productions.
Deliveries of the Alexa 35 Xtreme are scheduled to begin in August 2025. With its high-speed capabilities, data efficiency, and workflow enhancements, the Alexa 35 Xtreme offers a streamlined solution for productions that previously required a secondary high-speed camera. This upgrade to the industry-standard Alexa 35 promises to revolutionise high-frame-rate shooting, making it more accessible and efficient than ever before.
[1] Arri. (2023). Alexa 35 Xtreme. Retrieved from https://www.arri.com/products/cameras/alexa-35-xtreme
[2] Arri. (2023). Alexa 35 Xtreme: Technical Overview. Retrieved from https://www.arri.com/products/cameras/alexa-35-xtreme/technical-overview
[3] Arri. (2023). Arricore. Retrieved from https://www.arri.com/products/technology/arricore
- The new Alexa 35 Xtreme camera from Arri, unveiled in the film industry, boasts a higher frame rate of up to 660 fps for capturing high-speed action footage in video.
- The Alexa 35 Xtreme's high-speed capability retains an impressive 17 stops of dynamic range at frame rates up to 330 fps, and with the Sensor Overdrive mode, it delivers 11 stops of dynamic range at 660 fps.
- Arricore, a next- generation RGB codec offered with the Alexa 35 Xtreme, aims to make high-speed shooting more accessible by reducing storage requirements and post-production costs.
- Documentary filmmakers will benefit from the Alexa 35 Xtreme's about five times longer pre-recording times, allowing up to 5 minutes at 24 fps in Apple ProRes 422 HQ HD.
- The Alexa 35 Xtreme maintains full compatibility with Arri's accessory ecosystem, offers improved wireless capabilities, and has a 10% reduction in power consumption compared to its predecessor.
- The Alexa 35 Xtreme, suitable for high-end filmmakers, features a compact housing and interface layout, alongside improved focus, editing, lens, and sensor technology for a more efficient and sustainable production.
- Arri plans to start delivering the Alexa 35 Xtreme in August 2025, offering a streamlined high-frame-rate shooting solution that could revolutionize the industry, making it more accessible and efficient than ever before.
