The Arri Alexa is a digital motion picture camera system developed by

Arri Arri Group () (stylized as "ARRI") is a German manufacturer of motion picture film equipment. Based in Munich, the company was founded in 1917. It produces professional motion picture cameras, lenses, lighting and post-production equipment. It ...

. The Arri Alexa was introduced in April 2010 and was Arri's first major transition into

digital cinematography Digital cinematography is the process of capturing (recording) a film, motion picture using digital image sensors rather than through film stock. As digital technology has improved in recent years, this practice has become dominant. Since the 200 ...

, after previous efforts including the Arriflex D-20 and D-21. Alexa cameras are designed to be used in feature films, television shows and commercials. Alexa uses the ALEV series of image sensors manufactured by

ON Semiconductor ON Semiconductor Corporation (stylized and doing business as onsemi) is an American semiconductor supplier company, based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Products include power and signal management, logic, discrete, and custom devices for automotive, c ...

Overview

The Alexa camera system introduced their Log-C

imaging science Imaging is the representation or reproduction of an object's form; especially a visual representation (i.e., the formation of an image). Imaging technology is the application of materials and methods to create, preserve, or duplicate images. ...

as a digital negative, which allows

digital cinema Digital cinema is the digital technology used within the film industry to distribute or project motion pictures as opposed to the historical use of reels of motion picture film, such as 35 mm film. Whereas film reels have to be shipped to mo ...

images to be processed like scanned film images. The camera has several methods of recording, including SxS cards, CFast 2.0 cards and SXR Capture Drives at resolutions up to 3424 × 2202 pixels in either Rec. 709 HD video

color space A color space is a specific organization of colors. In combination with color profiling supported by various physical devices, it supports reproducible representations of colorwhether such representation entails an analog or a digital represe ...

or Log-C to ProRes or

ArriRaw The Arri Alexa is a Digital cinematography, digital motion picture camera system developed by Arri. The Arri Alexa was introduced in April 2010 and was Arri's first major transition into digital cinematography, after previous efforts including ...

codecs. The Alexa camera offers additional and optional

software license A software license is a legal instrument governing the use or redistribution of software. Since the 1970s, software copyright has been recognized in the United States. Despite the copyright being recognized, most companies prefer to sell lic ...

s that unlock different capabilities of the Alexa Camera. This includes; high speed 120fps recording, the DNxHD codec and 4:3 "open gate" mode for anamorphic lenses. The Alexa camera system includes; modularity, PL mount lenses, a

Super 35 Super 35 (originally known as Superscope 235) is a motion picture film format that uses exactly the same film stock as standard 35 mm film, but puts a larger image frame on that stock by using the space normally reserved for the optical a ...

-sized

CMOS sensor An active-pixel sensor (APS) is an image sensor, which was invented by Peter J.W. Noble in 1968, where each pixel sensor unit cell has a photodetector (typically a pinned photodiode) and one or more active transistors. In a metal–oxide–semic ...

shooting up to 3424×2202 resolution and supports

uncompressed video Uncompressed video is digital video that either has never been compressed or was generated by decompressing previously compressed digital video. It is commonly used by video cameras, video monitors, video recording devices (including general-pur ...

or proprietary raw (ArriRaw) codec. 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.

Models

Alexa

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.

Alexa Plus (4:3)

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.

Alexa M

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 for '' Gemini Man''.

Alexa Studio

The Alexa Studio features an optical viewfinder, mechanical shutter, and a 4:3 sensor for anamorphic cinematography.

Alexa XT

In February 2013, 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 for ND 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.

Alexa 65

On 21 September 2014 at the Cinec convention in Munich, Arri announced the Alexa 65, a 6K 65mm digital cinema camera. As with cameras from competitor

Panavision Panavision Inc. is an American motion picture equipment company (law), company founded in 1954 specializing in cameras and photographic lens, lenses, based in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, Woodland Hills, California. Formed by Robert Gottschalk a ...

, the Alexa 65 camera was available by rental only, provided through the Arri Rental Group. The Alexa 65 uses the A3X sensor, composed of three vertical ALEV III sensors, which has a maximum recordable resolution of 6560x3100. The first production to use the camera was '' Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation'' (2015), which was used to shoot the underwater sequence, and around forty percent of '' The Revenant'' (2015). A custom 3D variant was used to film specific scenes in '' Captain America: Civil War'' (2016). '' Avengers: Infinity War'' (2018) and '' Avengers: Endgame'' (2019) were the first narrative feature films shot entirely with the camera.

Alexa Mini

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-camera upscaling, and built-in motorized ND filters.

Alexa SXT

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 of

Apple ProRes Apple ProRes is a high quality, " visually lossless" lossy video compression format developed by Apple Inc. for use in post-production that supports video resolution up to 8K. It is the successor of the Apple Intermediate Codec and was introdu ...

to 4K resolution and

Rec. 2020 ITU-R Recommendation BT.2020, more commonly known by the abbreviations Rec. 2020 or BT.2020, defines various aspects of ultra-high-definition television (UHDTV) with standard dynamic range (SDR) and wide color gamut (WCG), including pictur ...

color space. XT, XT Plus and XT Studio cameras can be upgraded with the SXR module.

Alexa LF

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 seamless

large format Large format photography refers to any imaging format of or larger. Large format is larger than "medium format", the or size of Hasselblad, Mamiya, Rollei, Kowa, and Pentax cameras (using 120 film, 120- and 220-roll film), and much la ...

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.

Alexa Mini LF

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. The

camera A camera is an instrument used to capture and store images and videos, either digitally via an electronic image sensor, or chemically via a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. As a pivotal technology in the fields of photograp ...

also features a new Codex recording module, which accepts 1TB Codex Compact Drives.

Alexa 35

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.

Alexa 265

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.

Sensors

The ALEV III sensor debuted in the first Alexa model in 2010. It has 3424×2202

effective pixels Image resolution is the level of detail of an image. The term applies to digital images, film images, and other types of images. "Higher resolution" means more image detail. Image resolution can be measured in various ways. Resolution quantifies ...

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 native

ISO The International Organization for Standardization (ISO ; ; ) is an independent, non-governmental, international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries. Me ...

of 800 and records 14.5 stops of

dynamic range Dynamics (from Greek δυναμικός ''dynamikos'' "powerful", from δύναμις ''dynamis'' " power") or dynamic may refer to: Physics and engineering * Dynamics (mechanics), the study of forces and their effect on motion Brands and ent ...

. 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. 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.

Recording media

The Arri Alexa can record to 1920×1080 ProRes 422 or ProRes 4444 on SxS 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

ARRIRAW is an uncompressed format that contains unaltered Bayer sensor information. The camera's data stream was initially recorded via T-link with certified recorders like the CODEX Onboard from

Codex Digital Codex Digital is a company that creates digital production workflow tools for motion pictures, commercials, independent films, and TV productions. Codex products include recorders and media processing systems, as well as tools for color, dailie ...

. 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.

Reception

According to cinematographer

Roger Deakins Sir Roger Alexander Deakins , (born 24 May 1949) is an English cinematographer. He is the recipient of five BAFTA Awards for Best Cinematography, and two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography from sixteen nominations. He has collaborated m ...

, the Alexa's tonal range,

, and latitude exceed the capabilities of shooting in

film A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are generally, sinc ...

. "This camera has brought us to a point where digital is simply better", said Deakins.American Cinematographer: Time Bandit
. The ASC. Retrieved 7 June 2012. Deakins used the camera to shoot ''

In Time ''In Time'' is a 2011 American science fiction action film written, produced, and directed by Andrew Niccol. Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried star as inhabitants of a society that uses time from one's lifespan as its primary currency, wi ...

'', the

James Bond The ''James Bond'' franchise focuses on James Bond (literary character), the titular character, a fictional Secret Intelligence Service, British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels ...

film ''

Skyfall ''Skyfall'' is a 2012 spy thriller film and the twenty-third in the ''James Bond'' series produced by Eon Productions. The film is the third to star Daniel Craig as fictional MI6 agent James Bond and features Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva, ...

'', '' Prisoners'', '' Unbroken'', '' Sicario'', '' The Goldfinch'', ''

Empire of Light ''Empire of Light'' is a 2022 British romantic drama film directed, written, and co-produced by Sam Mendes. Set in an English coastal town in the early 1980s, the film is about the power of human connection during turbulent times. It stars Oli ...

'', and the

Academy Award for Best Cinematography The Academy Award for Best Cinematography is an Academy Award awarded each year to a cinematographer for work on one particular motion picture. History In its first film season, 1927–28, this award (like others such as the acting awards) w ...

winners ''

Blade Runner 2049 ''Blade Runner 2049'' is a 2017 American Epic film, epic neo-noir science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve from a screenplay by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green (writer), Michael Green, based on a story by Fancher. A sequel to ''Blade ...

'' and ''

1917 Events Below, the events of World War I have the "WWI" prefix. January * January 9 – WWI – Battle of Rafa: The last substantial Ottoman Army garrison on the Sinai Peninsula is captured by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force's ...

''. Cinematographers Florian Ballhaus and

Robert Elswit Robert Christopher Elswit, (born April 22, 1950) is an American cinematographer. He has collaborated with Paul Thomas Anderson from 1996 to 2014, winning the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for ''There Will Be Blood''. Elswit has also co ...

have also praised the Alexa. 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. Since its introduction, eight movies shot on Alexa (''

Argo In Greek mythology, the ''Argo'' ( ; ) was the ship of Jason and the Argonauts. The ship was built with divine aid, and some ancient sources describe her as the first ship to sail the seas. The ''Argo'' carried the Argonauts on their quest fo ...

'', '' Birdman'', '' Spotlight'', ''

Moonlight Moonlight consists of mostly sunlight (with little earthlight) reflected from the parts of the Moon's surface where the Sun's light strikes. History The ancient Greek philosopher Anaxagoras was aware that "''the sun provides the moon with its ...

'', ''

The Shape of Water ''The Shape of Water'' is a 2017 period romantic dark fantasy film directed and produced by Guillermo del Toro, who co-wrote the screenplay with Vanessa Taylor. It stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Micha ...

'', '' Green Book'', ''

Parasite Parasitism is a Symbiosis, close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives (at least some of the time) on or inside another organism, the Host (biology), host, causing it some harm, and is Adaptation, adapted str ...

'', ''

Nomadland ''Nomadland'' is a 2020 American drama film written, produced, edited and directed by Chloé Zhao. Based on the 2017 nonfiction book '' Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century'' by Jessica Bruder, it stars Frances McDormand a ...

'', and ''

Everything Everywhere All at Once ''Everything Everywhere All at Once'' is a 2022 American Independent film, independent Absurdist fiction, absurdist comedy-drama film written and directed by Daniels (directors), Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, who produced it with Russo brot ...

'') won an

Academy Award for Best Picture The Academy Award for Best Picture is one of the Academy Awards (also known as Oscars) presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) since the awards debuted in 1929. This award goes to the producers of the film a ...

. Also, movies shot on Alexa won

ten times, including five in a row between 2011 and 2015, for '' Hugo'', ''

Life of Pi ''Life of Pi'' is a Canadian philosophical novel by Yann Martel published in 2001. The protagonist is Piscine Molitor "Pi" Patel, an Indian boy from Pondicherry, who explores issues of spirituality and metaphysics from an early age. After a ...

'', ''

Gravity In physics, gravity (), also known as gravitation or a gravitational interaction, is a fundamental interaction, a mutual attraction between all massive particles. On Earth, gravity takes a slightly different meaning: the observed force b ...

'', '' Birdman'', '' The Revenant'', ''

'', ''

Roma Roma or ROMA may refer to: People, characters, figures, names * Roma or Romani people, an ethnic group living mostly in Europe and the Americas. * Roma called Roy, ancient Egyptian High Priest of Amun * Roma (footballer, born 1979), born ''Paul ...

'', ''

Dune A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, flat ...

'', and most of'' All Quiet on the Western Front''.

Similar cameras

* Arriflex D-20 and D-21 * Panavision Genesis, released in 2005 * RED Digital * Sony CineAlta * Panasonic VariCam *

Blackmagic URSA The Blackmagic URSA is a digital movie camera developed and manufactured by Blackmagic Design, released on August 8, 2014. It is the first camera to be user-upgradeable for additional equipment manufactured by Blackmagic and other third-party make ...

References

External links

*{{Official website, https://www.arri.com/
Frameline Generator Advanced , FLAG
– free web tool for creating highly customized framelines for the ALEXA and AMIRA family of digital cameras
metavisor
– free browser viewer for Arri Raw metadata Cameras introduced in 2010 Digital movie cameras Film and video technology