THE ALEXA 35: Arri Steps Forward With A Brand New Sensor, Affirms tHe Legacy Format size

In a world increasingly captivated by "full-frame fever," ARRI, the undisputed titan of cinematic image, made a bold and brilliant move with the release of the ARRI ALEXA 35. Instead of simply expanding sensor size, ARRI chose to innovate within a beloved and established format, introducing its first entirely new sensor in over a decade: the ALEV 4 Super 35 4K sensor. This decision isn't just about sticking to tradition; it's a strategic stroke of genius that respects cinematic legacy while catapulting image quality into an entirely new dimension.

The Heart of Innovation: A Brand New Super 35 Sensor

The most pivotal and exciting development within the ALEXA 35 is undeniably its ALEV 4 Super 35 CMOS sensor. This isn't a mere tweak or an upscaled version of previous designs. It's a ground-up re-engineering, a successor to the legendary ALEV 3 series that has powered every ARRI ALEXA camera since 2010. While other manufacturers have pushed larger sensor formats, ARRI's commitment to the Super 35 size with the ALEV 4 is a testament to its enduring relevance and unique advantages for filmmakers.

The ALEV 4 is a 4.6K Super 35 sensor (4608 x 3164 pixels), and its brilliance lies not just in resolution, but in its unparalleled performance characteristics:

• 17 Stops of Dynamic Range: A New Horizon for Super 35. This is the star of the show. The ALEXA 35 boasts an astonishing 17 stops of dynamic range, a monumental leap of 2.5 stops over previous ALEXA models. This expanded latitude is unprecedented for a Super 35 sensor, providing filmmakers with immense detail retention in both extreme highlights and deep shadows. Crucially, the gains are intelligently distributed, with 1.5 stops more in the highlights for exquisite, film-like roll-off, and an additional 1 stop in the shadows, allowing cinematographers to dig deeper into dark areas without sacrificing nuance. This empowers unprecedented control in challenging lighting conditions and future-proofs content for HDR delivery.

  
  

• Super 35: The Enduring Legacy and Lens Ecosystem. While the industry has seen a push towards larger formats, ARRI's choice to develop a new, cutting-edge Super 35 sensor is a powerful statement. The Super 35 format (similar in size to traditional 35mm film) remains the most widely adopted and versatile format in cinema. This deliberate choice ensures immediate and seamless compatibility with the vast global inventory of existing Super 35 lenses—from revered vintage glass with unique character to modern, high-performance spherical and anamorphic optics. This means cinematographers aren't forced into expensive lens overhauls and can leverage decades of established aesthetics and practical advantages like smaller, lighter zoom lenses. The 4.6K resolution of the ALEV 4 also ensures true native 4K delivery for various aspect ratios, including full-height 4K anamorphic shooting, making it a dream for anamorphic enthusiasts.

  
  

• Exceptional Low-Light Performance: Pushing the Boundaries of ISO. The ALEV 4 sensor fundamentally redefines low-light capabilities within the Super 35 realm. With a native EI (Exposure Index) range of 160 to 6400, the ALEXA 35 is inherently a "High ISO" camera. ARRI also introduced an innovative Enhanced Sensitivity (ES) mode (selectable from EI 2560 to 6400). This mode employs a sophisticated algorithm to effectively reduce digital noise, delivering remarkably clean images even in incredibly dim environments. This level of sensitivity, combined with the expansive dynamic range, is a game-changer for night shoots, available-light documentary work, and situations where extensive lighting setups simply aren't an option.

  
  

REVEAL Color Science and ARRI Textures: Elevating the "ARRI Look"

Beyond the hardware, ARRI has introduced a completely overhauled image processing pipeline known as REVEAL Color Science. This new suite of algorithms works in perfect harmony with the ALEV 4 sensor, delivering unparalleled color fidelity, richer tones, and a more refined interpretation of the cherished "ARRI look" straight out of the camera. REVEAL Color Science includes:

• ARRI Debayer Algorithm ADA-7: An improved debayering process that converts raw sensor data into camera-native RGB images with greater precision, resulting in sharper images, cleaner edges, and more seamless compositing for VFX.

  
  

• ARRI Color Engine ACE4: A new color engine that transforms camera-native RGB data into the new AWG4 color space, bringing what the camera "sees" closer to human visual perception. This translates to more accurate and subtle color reproduction, pleasing and naturalistic rendition of all skin tones, and vastly improved handling of highly saturated colors that can often be problematic for digital sensors.

  
  

• ARRI Wide Gamut AWG4 & LogC4 Curve: A new "Goldilocks" color space and a new logarithmic curve specifically designed to encode the sensor's incredible 17 stops of dynamic range, ensuring all captured information is preserved for maximum flexibility in post-production.

  
  

Adding an unprecedented layer of creative control, the ALEXA 35 introduces ARRI Textures. For the first time, cinematographers can choose from a menu of pre-installed or custom texture settings that fundamentally alter the camera's image processing. This allows filmmakers to fine-tune the look in-camera, from a super-clean digital aesthetic to a more organic, film-like appearance, including options optimized for low light or specific cinematic styles. Since textures are applied before ARRIRAW creation, they are "baked in" and provide a distinct creative starting point.

Built for Production, Seamless Integration

The ALEXA 35 upholds ARRI's legendary reputation for robust build quality, designed to withstand the most demanding production environments. It features splash resistance, enhanced heat dissipation, and a new mechanical support system for increased flexibility. Powering this advanced machine are new 24V requirements, reflecting its heightened capabilities.

Workflow is paramount, and the ALEXA 35 offers a range of recording formats, including ARRIRAW for uncompressed, top-tier quality, and various Apple ProRes options for efficient post-production. It utilizes the new Codex Compact Drive Express for high-speed, reliable recording.

Crucially, the ALEXA 35 integrates seamlessly into existing ARRI workflows. Its images can be intercut effortlessly with footage from other ALEXA and AMIRA cameras. Even older ARRIRAW footage (from ALEXA LF/Mini LF) can be processed through the new REVEAL Color Science in post, ensuring backward compatibility and a cohesive visual narrative across multi-camera productions.

For the Elite and Aspiring Filmmaker

The ARRI ALEXA 35 is unequivocally aimed at the highest echelons of film and television production:

• Feature Film Cinematographers: Its unparalleled dynamic range, revolutionary color science, and cinematic aesthetic make it a leading choice for major motion pictures.

  
  

• High-End Commercial and Episodic TV: The ability to deliver stunning, consistent images quickly and reliably is invaluable for demanding commercial shoots and high-budget television series.

  
  

• VFX-Heavy Productions: Enhanced debayering and precise color accuracy within REVEAL Color Science streamline VFX workflows, making compositing and CGI integration more efficient.

  
  

• HDR Productions: With 17 stops of dynamic range, the ALEXA 35 is exceptionally well-suited for High Dynamic Range deliverables, capturing the full spectrum of light and color for immersive viewing experiences.

  
  

The introduction of the ALEXA 35 has been met with immense anticipation and overwhelmingly positive reception from the professional filmmaking community. It reaffirms ARRI's dedication to delivering the highest possible image quality and reliability. By choosing to innovate with a new Super 35 sensor, rather than solely pursuing larger formats, ARRI has shown a profound understanding of industry needs and creative desires. The ALEXA 35 is a flagship camera poised to define visual standards for countless productions, proving that the beloved Super 35 format is not just holding its ground but is being continually refined at the cutting edge of technology.