Canon's First Ultra-High-Sensitivity Multi-Purpose Camera Features ISO Equivalen

[scyrene]

To put it in perspective a basic Alexa Mini is $ 36K and is UTV.

At its core is a Super 35mm format ARRI ALEV III CMOS sensor with Bayer pattern color filter array. ARRI claims it is capable of 14+ stops of sensitivity when shooting at an exposure index of 160-3200 (EI is essentially the same as ISO).

The unit can be operated in a variety of ways, including via wireless control. It also has an integrated lens motor controller (which allows new active lens motors to connect to the PL mount) allowing for focus, iris and zoom to all be controlled from an ARRI hand unit, wirelessly. This makes the ALEXA Mini 4K an excellent choice for use with a drone.

Physically, the Mini measures 185x124x140mm (7.3x4.9x5.5"), and weighs just 2.3kg (5lbs). ARRI cameras are known for being incredibly modular, and the ALEXA Mini 4K is no exception. The titanium PL mount can be swapped for an EF mount, and the camera can be used handheld with the addition of the ARRI MVF-1 viewfinder and a hand rig.

The unit can record in a wide variety of formats including HD, 2K, 4K and UHD and can also spit out native resolution outputs like uncompressed ARRIRAW 2.8K or ProRes 3.2k. Frame rates range from .75 -200fps. And a built-in set of motorized ND filters including a .6-stop, 1.2-stop, and 2.1-stop give even more exposure control. Other cool features: the sensor area can be switched from 4:3 to 16:9 and because the unit is symmetrical, it can be used in portrait-orientation, or upside down.

What are you filming? This is hardly a general-purpose camera. As I've mentioned earlier, wildlife documentary makers have already been using super-sensitive cameras for night-time behaviour without needing IR illumination, but now they can do it in colour.

 

[Diko]

Count me impressed too.

I can't wait to see the 1dX m2

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

Im used to signing off on Arri Alexa or Amira cameras etc. for features & broadcast their is no way I would sanction paying $ 30K for this camera Canon have truly lost the plot.

different cameras, those are way better for that stuff, but they can't do what this does in one important regard

is this one priced to give it a huge profit margin? probably but there is nothing else out there and it is low volume which does cut back the margin since less units to spread development over

i agree they have lost a lot of the plot these days, but maybe not this time (at least not for now when they ahve zero competition regarding the things this can do in a somewhat low volume niche)