ARRI’s new ALEXA 35 Xtreme will replace the regular ALEXA 35. It will cost the same. But it goes extremely fast, with slow motion speeds up to 660 fps. On the outside, the 35 Xtreme looks the same as ALEXA 35, except for the extremely Xtreme graphic on the camera right side and taller antennas. ALEXA 35 Xtreme has a new processor, more efficient cooling and some new electronics. The sensor, body, controls, buttons, finder, menu and accessories remain the same.
• In addition to familiar ARRIRAW, the ALEXA 35 Xtreme offers a leaner new codec called ARRICORE.
• Maximum slow motion speed is 660 fps in 2K 16:9 S16 sensor mode with ARRICORE and Sensor Overdrive.
• ARRICORE is a new, nimble, lighter codec than ARRIRAW.
• Overdrive is a sensor readout mode for faster speeds but with less dynamic range.
• Maximum slow motion with highest resolution 4.6K Open Gate 3:2 is 120 fps with CODEX Compact Drive 2TB.
• Runs up to 240 fps in 3.8K sensor mode, 2.39:1 aspect ratio, with ARRICORE and ProRes, and up to 190 fps with ARRIRAW.
• Up to 330 fps in 2K 16:9 S16 with all codecs.
• Pre-recording is now five times longer. This can be very helpful on a nature film when you’re facing a rhino about to charge but nervous about when to push RECORD. Or on the stunt with the longest jump the world has ever seen and “ready when you are CB.”
• Power consumption is reduced 10% for 10% longer battery life.
• WiFi has been improved with various features.
• Sensor modes and recording formats have been pruned to a list that is less overwhelming.
• And yes, all your regular ALEXA 35 accessories will fit.
• A new ALEXA Xtreme will cost the same as an existing ALEXA 35.
• Upgrade your existing ALEXA 35 to Xtreme for € 15,900. The factory upgrade takes about 3 days at ARRI service centers in Munich, London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Sidney—with more to come.
• The upgrade of existing ALEXA 35 cameras includes parts and labor.
• Upgraded cameras will work just like a new ALEXA 35 Xtreme.
• ALEXA 35 Xtreme cameras begin shipping on August 1, 2025.
Filming with ALEXA 35 Xtreme prototypes, Elias Maria, BVK said, “We can dream of new and interesting ways to play with time and speed and motion. The ARRI color science and the workflow are familiar. And the 17 stops of dynamic range. You don’t have to change anything to go to 240 frames. There are moments in almost every film where you need slow motion.” View his slow motion / fast sailing film here: https://youtu.be/9QBnv_G8RwA
Charles Bergquist called it a “Swiss Army knife of a camera.”
Stijn Van der Veken, ASC, SBC said, “We all know what chopped vegetables look like when they drop in slow motion on a food commercial, but this is a very practical way to use the camera.” https://youtu.be/h0EZCohp9Q0
And here’s ARRI’s sizzle reel of Xtreme scenes in “Beauty of Slow Motion”: https://youtu.be/4h3ZcBss2pY
Product Manager Marc Shipman-Mueller calls it an “A-Camera” that also does slow motion. “Our focus with the Xtreme development was greater efficiency on set and in post. So, with the Xtreme, you don’t have to rent a separate specialized camera, and this will save production money. The same camera will speed up post-production, since your high speed shots now seamlessly match your sync sound shots, as they were both shot with the same camera with the same gorgeous REVEAL color science. And the improved WiFi and lower power consumption will also help to work more efficiently. ”
Quick Specs
Quick Specs
asterisks * show same specs as original ALEXA 35.
- Super35 format ARRI ALEV 4 CMOS sensor. *
- Sensor size: 27.99 x 19.22 mm, 33.96 mm Ø. *
- Maximum resolution: 4608 x 3164 Open Gate (with license). *
- Photosite pitch: 6.075 μm. *
- Original ALEXA 35 frame rates: 0.75 – 120 fps
- New ALEXA 35 Xtreme frame rates: 0.75 – 660 fps
- Dynamic Range: 17 stops. *
- Exposure Index: 160 – 6400 ISO in 1/3 stops. *
- Electronic shutter: 1.0°- 356° / 1s – 1/8000s.
- Recording Formats: MXF/ARRIRAW, MXF/ARRICORE, MXF/Apple ProRes 4444 XQ, MXF/Apple ProRes 4444, MXF/Apple ProRes 422 HQ
- Recording Media: Codex Compact Drive 1TB *, Codex Compact Drive 2TB *, Codex Compact Drive Express 1TB *
- Internal motorized ND filters: Clear, ND0.6, ND1.2, ND1.8. *
- Size: 147 x 152.5 x 203 mm / 5.8 x 6.0 x 8.0″ (HxWxL). *
- Weight: approx. 3 kg / 6.6 lb (camera body with three antennas and LPL Mount with LBUS connector).
“Xtreme” History
We don’t have to go into the entire history of slow motion and high speed cameras. Nor do we have to reminisce about certain cameras running so loud you often couldn’t hear the word “Cut” as the stage floor vibrated and film sometimes jammed so tight you almost had to use a chisel to excavate the negative. Those were specialized cameras that came with a technician.
The name “ALEXA 35 Xtreme” honors the history of an earlier ARRI high speed camera that did not require an extra tech crew or sound blankets to subdue it. Here’s an excerpt from a 2004 brochure about the ARRIFLEX 435 Xtreme film camera:
“Since the ARRIFlEX 435 camera first saw the light of day in 1995, it has become the workhorse of the film industry, the golden standard for MOS camera work. Over 1,200 cameras were sold worldwide, and 435 cameras can be seen in use in LA, Toronto, London and Berlin, from the deserts of Dubai to the wide Chinese landscapes, from Africa to Australia.
“Based on the original 435 design, ARRI has continuously updated the camera to add versatility and features, culminating now in the 435 Xtreme which can film at frame rates from 0.1 to 150 fps.”
