The new Alexa Mini, a versatile additional tool in the ARRI Alexa camera range, is
designed for specialised shot-making and allows crews to eliminate the
complications of working with third-party cameras by keeping everything within a
single system.
A number of unique design solutions have been incorporated. These include highly
integrated and environmentally sealed electronics, lightweight carbon housing and a
solid titanium PL mount that connects directly with the new internal sensor mount to
ensure a super-stable flange focal distance, even when using large lenses. Nimble
in use and hardy on set, the Alexa Mini is a go-anywhere tool, easy to transport in
backpacks or as carry-on luggage.
The Alexa Mini can be operated in a number of ways: by wireless remote control,
as a normal camera with the ARRI MVF-1 multi viewfinder attached, or with an on-board monitor and controlled via the user button interface on the camera body.
Light enough to be comfortably held at arm’s length in a hand rig, its compact size
and extremely quiet operation also make it ideal for tight shooting conditions. The
symmetrical design permits filming in any orientation, including upside-down and in
portrait mode, while multiple accessory points enable highly creative mounting
solutions. In addition, the Alexa Mini’s interchangeable lens mount can be replaced
with any of those designed for the ARRI Amira, allowing the use of B4 video and EF
mount stills lenses.
Equipped with a 4:3 sensor, automatic de-squeeze mode for anamorphic
productions and frame rates of 0.75-200 fps, the Alexa Mini records ProRes or
uncompressed ARRIRAW either in-camera to CFast 2.0 cards or to a specially-designed external Codex recorder that can record image streams from up to four
Alexa Minis simultaneously – a compelling option for multi-camera setups such as
360° plate shots. Images from the Alexa Mini will perfectly match those from all
other Alexa cameras, making the final grade easier and quicker.
Integrated functionality is at the heart of the Alexa Mini’s efficient and self-contained design. A built-in lens motor controller allows new active lens motors to
be connected directly to the titanium PL mount, while ARRI Lens Data System (LDS)
technology provides frame-accurate metadata that can save time and money both
on-set and in post. Wi-Fi connectivity means that iOS or Android devices can be
used to remotely control camera functions such as the motorised internal ND filters,
which permit rapid responses to changing light conditions without adding bulk to the
camera configuration.
The body design is optimised for use with new-generation brushless gimbals,
multicopters and other specialised rigs. It is compact enough in the lens direction to
allow the use of standard PL mount lenses even on lightweight and space-constrained rigs, such as gyro-stabilised aerial systems. The camera’s superb low-light performance makes it perfect for underwater work; dedicated underwater
housings are currently being developed by leading manufacturers.
Like the ARRI Amira, the Alexa Mini can record 4K UHD ProRes images, facilitating
real-time 4K UHD output and simple pipelines for high-resolution deliverables. More
importantly, the Mini and all other ARRI cameras with the Alev III sensor offer
unrivalled overall image quality by focusing not just on spatial resolution, but also
on other parameters such as colourimetry, skin tones and High Dynamic Range
(HDR). This is equally true whether the chosen output is HD, 2K, 4K UHD or one of
the native resolution outputs like uncompressed ARRIRAW 2.8K or ProRes 3.2K,
ensuring that images captured with the Alexa Mini are future-proof, whatever new
industry standards emerge.
