- Super 35mm sensor size
- 4:3/16:9 switchable active sensor area
- Built-in motorized ND filter
- Interchangeable lens mounts: PL, EF, B4
- Dynamic range exceeds 14 stops
- 3.2K and 4K recording options
- ProRes 4444XQ, 4444, 422 (HQ), 422, 422 (LT), ARRIRAW video formats
- Up to 200 fps in HD mode, up to 60 fps in 4K mode
There are countless other features that I haven’t listed here, but the few I pointed out above are by far the most interesting to me. The fact that you can switch between 4:3 and 16:9 is absolutely amazing for those of us who like to shoot with anamorphic lenses from time to time but don’t always want to shoot that way. I also think the built-in motorized ND filter is an excellent addition, especially for use on a drone or other gimbal when the operator is unable to manually change the ND settings. The interchangeable lens mount makes this camera even more versatile as you can easily switch between PL, EF and B4…which is great for those who might want to use it as an A-frame camera with a PL lens. But then it’s very important for shooters who need some lighter to use EF or B4 glass when flying the camera on a drone or Movi.
I expected this camera to have 14 stops of dynamic range and the ability to record in 4K, so it’s no surprise that the Arri excels in both areas. I’m sure some shooters will wish for a higher frame rate in 4K mode, but to be honest, 60fps is more than enough most of the time, and I can imagine that in such a small body, the Arri would struggle to achieve anything better than that.
Overall, I’m impressed with this camera – or at least what I’ve seen so far. Arri always seem to make the right choices with their new products – not necessarily focusing on producing gear with the best specs on paper, but focusing on cameras that offer the best results and features. They’ve really rounded out their camera lineup with the Alexa Mini, and I can’t wait to see what else they launch this year.
