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DronesARRI ALEXA 35 Xtreme Launches with 660fps and New ARRICORE Codec
ARRI ALEXA 35 Xtreme Launches with 660fps and New ARRICORE Codec
ARRI has introduced the ALEXA 35 Xtreme — a significant enhancement of its flagship ALEXA 35 camera. Designed for high-speed filmmaking, this new version brings a powerful new codec and advanced pre-recording features. Here’s what’s new.
ARRI has unveiled the ALEXA 35 Xtreme, a powerful evolution of the popular ALEXA 35, built to transform the way high-speed footage is captured. It supports frame rates of up to 660fps and debuts ARRICORE — a cutting-edge codec that lowers data load while maintaining top-tier image quality.
Sensor Overdrive Mode: Up to 660fps with 11 Stops of Dynamic Range
The standout feature of the ALEXA 35 Xtreme is its exceptional high-speed performance. It can record at up to 330fps while preserving its full 17 stops of dynamic range — a key reason behind the ALEXA line’s popularity among cinematographers. (In our Lab Tests, the ALEXA 35 reached 16.3 measured stops at SNR=1.) For even faster recording, the new “Sensor Overdrive” mode enables up to 660fps, though at the cost of a reduced dynamic range of 11 stops.
This marks a major step beyond what the standard ALEXA 35 can do, making the Xtreme a strong contender for high-speed shooting. As ARRI intends, this could eliminate the need for using additional high-speed cameras like the Phantom Flex on many sets — potentially saving time and cutting rental costs.
The boost in performance is powered by a new, more capable main processor with increased speed and onboard memory. This upgrade also enabled ARRI to introduce a more efficient codec.
Credit: ARRI, used with permission.
Credit: ARRI, used with permission.
ARRI has introduced ARRICORE, a new RGB codec designed to deliver ARRIRAW-like quality with significantly smaller file sizes. It reduces data rates while preserving key post-production controls like sensitivity, white balance, and tint. Thanks to faster internal processing, ARRICORE enables efficient real-time compression directly in-camera, offering the visual benefits of ARRIRAW without the storage burden.
ARRI highlights that ARRICORE remains fully compatible with existing ALEXA 35 workflows. This includes support for ARRI Look File ALF4, ARRI Textures, metadata management, MXF wrappers, and audio processing. The company also confirms that most third-party software currently supporting ALEXA 35 codecs will work with ARRICORE, with many developers already updating their tools.
Credit: ARRI, used with permission.
Importantly, ARRICORE is being released in beta, indicating that ARRI plans to involve users in the development process by gathering feedback to improve the codec.
Image credit: ARRI.
It’s important to note that ARRICORE is exclusive to the ALEXA 35 Xtreme, as no other ARRI camera currently has the onboard processing power needed to support it.
Credit: ARRI, used with permission.
Extended Pre-Recording Capabilities
The ALEXA 35 Xtreme significantly increases pre-recording duration, allowing up to 30 seconds when shooting 24fps Apple ProRes 4444 at 4.6K Open Gate resolution, and up to five minutes when recording 24fps Apple ProRes 422 HQ in HD. ARRI claims these are the longest pre-record times available on any cinema camera.
This feature meets a vital need in documentary and spontaneous filming, where missing the start of an event can be costly or impossible to reproduce — especially in wildlife filming, where RED cameras have been favored partly for this reason (along with sensor cropping at higher frame rates). With Sensor Overdrive mode supporting capture speeds up to 660fps at a Super 16 crop, the Xtreme becomes an attractive choice for high-end wildlife productions.
Credit: ARRI, used with permission.
ALEXA 35 Xtreme Uses 10% Less Power, Gains 5GHz WiFi, Keeps Compact Design
In addition to its headline features, ARRI has made practical upgrades to the Xtreme. It is 10% more power-efficient than the ALEXA 35 and now supports 5GHz WiFi, mesh networking, and automatic reconnection to known networks.
Importantly for current ALEXA 35 users, the Xtreme retains the same compact body and mechanical interfaces, ensuring full compatibility with ARRI’s wide range of accessories. This includes lens mounts, brackets, the Audio Extension Module AEM-1, the Power Distribution Module PDM-1, and storage options like CODEX drives.
Image credit: ARRI.
Same Price as ALEXA 35, with Upgrade Options
ARRI is offering the ALEXA 35 Xtreme in Base and Premium license tiers, priced the same as the current ALEXA 35, which will soon be discontinued. For existing ALEXA 35 owners, ARRI provides an upgrade option to convert Base, Premium, or Live models to the Xtreme version at a cost of €15,900.
The upgrade service will be available at selected ARRI Service Centers starting August 2025, with existing licenses retained during the conversion. The process involves replacing the motherboard with a new processor and memory, plus adding an additional processing acceleration board. According to our information, the upgrade takes between 3 to 7 days and can be performed at any of ARRI’s five service centers worldwide. This approach shows ARRI’s dedication to safeguarding customer investments while offering a clear path to improved performance.
Our Perspective on the ARRI ALEXA 35 Xtreme Announcement
The release of the ALEXA 35 Xtreme comes at a time when high-speed cinematography is increasingly in demand across many types of productions, from traditional narrative films to commercials and documentaries. By adding high-speed features to their main camera system, ARRI could reduce the need for separate high-speed rental gear in many cases.
In an era where high-end filmmaking budgets are tight worldwide, ARRI makes a strong statement by launching a significantly upgraded camera model without increasing the price — something usually expected only during boom periods in film production.
Although the 660fps frame rate is impressive on paper, the reduced dynamic range in Sensor Overdrive mode may restrict its use in difficult lighting, where the ALEXA series usually performs best. However, with some experience, even cinematographers unfamiliar with high-speed shooting without a Phantom Flex operator will learn to accept the trade-offs that come with shooting at such high frame rates. Simply put, having this capability built into your main camera is definitely a plus.
Will the ALEXA 35 Xtreme Succeed in a Challenging Market?
The ALEXA 35 Xtreme is a major upgrade to the original ALEXA 35, which has proven to be highly successful given the many high-end, award-winning projects filmed with it. By emphasizing high-speed performance and data efficiency while keeping compatibility with the existing ecosystem, ARRI is clearly addressing user feedback and market needs. The upgrade price appears fair for the benefits offered, so I believe many rental houses will seize the chance to upgrade parts of their ALEXA 35 inventory, even amid the current industry challenges.
As with any significant camera release, the true test will come when the equipment is used extensively on productions and subjected to thorough field evaluation. The success of ARRICORE will depend greatly on its real-world performance in post-production workflows and how widely it is adopted by the broader range of post-production tools.
