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TheArri Alexa is adigital motion picture camera system developed byArri. The Arri Alexa was introduced in April 2010 and was Arri's first major transition intodigital cinematography, after previous efforts including theArriflex D-20 andD-21.
Alexa cameras are designed to be used in feature films, television shows and commercials. Alexa uses the ALEV series of image sensors manufactured byON Semiconductor.[1]
The Alexa camera system introduced their Log-Cimaging science as a digital negative, which allowsdigital cinema images to be processed likescanned film images.
The camera has several methods of recording, includingSxS cards, CFast 2.0 cards and SXR Capture Drives at resolutions up to 3424 × 2202 pixels in either Rec. 709 HD videocolor space or Log-C toProRes orArriRaw codecs. The Alexa camera offers additional and optionalsoftware licenses that unlock different capabilities of the Alexa Camera. This includes; high speed 120fps recording, the DNxHD codec and 4:3 "open gate" mode foranamorphic lenses.
The Alexa camera system includes; modularity,PL mount lenses, aSuper 35-sizedCMOS sensor shooting up to 3424×2202 resolution and supportsuncompressed video or proprietaryraw (ArriRaw) codec.[2]
The price of the camera depends on the model and accessories. For example, in 2015, an Arri Alexa XT cost approximately $66,000 to $100,000, depending on accessories included.[3]
The Alexa (retroactively known as the Alexa Classic) was announced in April 2010 and was the first camera released of the product family. The Alexa's CMOS Super-35mm sensor is rated at 2.8K and ISO 800. That sensitivity allows the camera to see a full seven stops of over exposure and another seven stops of underexposure. To take advantage of this, Arri offers both industry-standard Rec.709 HD video output as well as the Log-C mode that shows the entire range of the chip's sensitivity, allowing for an extreme range of color correction options in post.
The Alexa Plus added integrated wireless remote control, the Arri Lens Data System (LDS), additional outputs, lens synchronization for 3D, and built-in position and motion sensors and a 4:3 sensor making it ideal for anamorphic cinematography.
The Alexa M had its imaging and processing unit broken down in two parts to be small, compact and lightweight for 3D rigs and other uses where size is a concern. A special version of the Alexa M, called the Alexa SXT-M, was created forGemini Man.
The Alexa Studio features an optical viewfinder, mechanical shutter, and a 4:3 sensor for anamorphic cinematography.
In February 2013,[4] the range was renewed as the Alexa XT (XT standing for extended technology) series. Alexa XT cameras are equipped with the XR module, which replaces the SxS module and allows direct ArriRaw recording without the need for an external recorder. Further improvements is an internal tray forND filters, a 4:3 sensor, open gate sensor mode, and a quieter cooling fan. The range accordingly comprises the Alexa, the Alexa XT, the Alexa XT M, the Alexa XT Plus, the Alexa XT Studio and the Alexa Fiber Remote. Existing cameras can be upgraded with the XR module for internal raw recording.[5]
On 21 September 2014 at the Cinec convention in Munich, Arri announced the Alexa 65,[6] a 6K 65mm digital cinema camera. As with cameras from competitorPanavision, the Alexa 65 camera was available by rental only, provided through the Arri Rental Group.[7] The Alexa 65 uses the A3X sensor, composed of three vertical ALEV III sensors, which has a maximum recordable resolution of 6560x3100.[8][9]
The first production to use the camera wasMission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), which was used to shoot the underwater sequence, and around forty percent ofThe Revenant (2015).[10][11]
A custom 3D variant was used to film specific scenes inCaptain America: Civil War (2016).Avengers: Infinity War (2018) andAvengers: Endgame (2019) were the first narrative feature films shot entirely with the camera.[12][13]
On 24 February 2015, Arri announced the Alexa Mini. It has the same sensor as the other Alexa cameras housed in a smaller body. It records to CFast 2.0 cards, 200 FPS, 4K UHD in-cameraupscaling, and built-in motorizedND filters.
On 18 March 2015, Arri announced the SXT line of Alexa cameras which replaced the XR module with the SXR module and support in-camera upscaling ofApple ProRes to 4K resolution andRec. 2020 color space.[14][15] XT, XT Plus and XT Studio cameras can be upgraded with the SXR module.[14][15]
On 2 February 2018, Arri announced the Alexa LF at the BSC Expo. It is a 4K large format camera. The Alexa LF's A2X sensor is based on two vertical ALEV III sensors, which are stitched together to create a seamlesslarge format image. This is the same principle that was used to create the Alexa 65, which uses three Alexa sensors that are arranged vertically. The Alexa LF can record in open gate in a resolution of 4448 × 3096.[16][17]
On 28 March 2019, Arri announced the Alexa Mini LF, which houses the same sensor as the Alexa LF inside a camera body similar to the Alexa Mini. Additional improvements over the Alexa Mini include an improved EVF (MVF-2) with larger flip-out monitor and power outputs for camera accessories. Thecamera also features a new Codex recording module, which accepts 1TB Codex Compact Drives.[18]
On 31 May 2022, Arri announced the Alexa 35. It is based on a Super 35 ALEV 4 sensor, Arri's first new sensor for the Alexa family since the release of the first model in 2010. The sensor is sized 27.99 x 19.22 mm and records at a resolution of 4608 × 3164 with 17 stops of dynamic range. It is the first camera in the Alexa line to allow for full-height, natively 4K anamorphic shooting.[19][20]
On 5 December 2024, Arri announced the Alexa 265. The Alexa 265 body is based on the Alexa 35, giving it a lighter weight compared to the Alexa 65. The Alexa 265 weighs 3.3 kilograms (7.3 pounds), while the Alexa 65 weighs 10.5 kilograms (23 pounds). The Alexa 265 also features a brand-new 65mm sensor that increases dynamic range from 14 to 15 stops and the native ISO range from 3200 to 6400.[21][22][23]
The ALEV III sensor debuted in the first Alexa model in 2010. It has 3424×2202effective pixels used for generating images. 2880×2160 pixels are generally used for recording on the Alexa Studio and M in 4:3 mode, and 2880×1620 pixels are used for recording on the regular Alexa and other models in 16:9 mode. The rest of the sensor is used for looking around in the viewfinder. Alternatively, the full sensor resolution may be employed in "open gate" mode for resolution-demanding situations. It has a nativeISO of 800 and records 14.5 stops ofdynamic range.[24]
The Alexa LF and Alexa Mini LF use the A2X sensor, composed of two vertical ALEV III sensors, which has a 36.70mm × 25.54mm active imaging area. It provides up to 4448×3096 maximum recordable resolution.
The Alexa 65 uses the A3X sensor, composed of three vertical ALEV III sensors, which has a 54.12 mm × 25.59 mm active imaging area. It provides up to 6560×3102 open gate maximum recordable resolution.[9][25]
The ALEV 4 sensor debuted in 2022 with the release of the Alexa 35. It is sized at 27.99 x 19.22 mm and records at a resolution of 4608 × 3164 with 17 stops of dynamic range.[20]
The Arri Alexa can record to 1920×1080 ProRes 422 or ProRes 4444 onSxS Cards or 2880×1620 ArriRaw to external recording devices. The Arri Alexa Firmware 7 increases the resolution on the SxS cards to 2K ProRes 4444 (previously 1080p).
ARRIRAW is an uncompressed format that contains unalteredBayer sensor information. The camera's data stream was initially recorded via T-link with certified recorders like the CODEX Onboard fromCodex Digital. When the Alexa XT was introduced, an internal CODEX recording solution was used, using CODEX Capture Drives. The CODEX Compact Drive replaced these following the introduction of the Alexa Mini LF and Alexa 35.
ARRIRAW files can be reduced in size by up to 50% using CODEX High-density Encoding (HDE). This lossless compression format provides workflow improvements that match those of lossy compressed formats.
According to cinematographerRoger Deakins, the Alexa'stonal range,color space, and latitude exceed the capabilities of shooting infilm. "This camera has brought us to a point where digital is simply better", said Deakins.[26] Deakins used the camera to shootIn Time, theJames Bond filmSkyfall,Prisoners,Unbroken,Sicario,The Goldfinch,Empire of Light, and theAcademy Award for Best Cinematography winnersBlade Runner 2049 and1917.
The Alexa is the dominant camera in the professional film industry, and was used as the primary system on over 70% of the top 100 grossing films since 2016.[27] Since its introduction, eight movies shot on Alexa (Argo,Birdman,Spotlight,Moonlight,The Shape of Water,Green Book,Parasite,Nomadland, andEverything Everywhere All at Once) won anAcademy Award for Best Picture. Also, movies shot on Alexa wonAcademy Award for Best Cinematography ten times, including five in a row between 2011 and 2015, forHugo,Life of Pi,Gravity,Birdman,The Revenant,Blade Runner 2049,Roma,1917,Dune, and most of All Quiet on the Western Front.
The basic camera package will cost you about $66,575. And with accessories, this price can easily reach $100,000 with the addition of XR drives, remotes, licenses, cables and add-on hardware.
