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ARRI Alexa Mini

Arri’s ALEXA Mini takes the image quality of the original ALEXA and shoves it all into a much smaller Carbon Fiber package. The camera is capable of up to 200fps 2K ProRes and 30fps 2.8K ArriRAW recording to internal CFast 2.0 cards (60fps at 4:3 and 120fps at 16:9 if you go to a Codex recorder).

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.

Strength and Agility
To maintain ARRI’s famously rugged build quality in a small and lightweight camera, a number of unique design solutions have been incorporated. These include highly integrated and sealed electronics, a lightweight carbon housing and a solid titanium PL mount that connects directly with the new internal sensor mount – also made of titanium – 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.

Versatile Mounting and Shooting Options
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.

Uncompromised Image Quality for Specialized Shots
The overwhelming advantage of the ALEXA Mini is that it marries such a compact and lightweight form factor with the same unparalleled image quality that has made the ARRI ALEXA system a gold standard for the industry.

Combine the Mini with any other ALEXA camera and you will have perfectly matched images, even on anamorphic productions – thanks to the 4:3 sensor and automatic de‑squeeze function.

Workflows will also be identical, with options to record ProRes or uncompressed ARRIRAW either in-camera to CFast 2.0 cards or to a specially-designed external Codex recorder.

Save Time on Set
With the ALEXA Mini, no extra time need be spent on set configuring third-party cameras previously required for specialized shots, or on wrangling the image files coming out of them. Multi-camera setups such as 360° plate shots will be made simpler and faster by the external Codex recorder, which can record image streams from up to four ALEXA Minis simultaneously. The camera’s maximum frame rate of 200 fps means it can also be used for stunning slow-motion cinematography, saving further time and money on set by doing away with the need for a separate high-speed camera.

Save Time in Post
In the past, productions combining small cameras from other manufacturers with an ARRI ALEXA shooting kit have encountered time-consuming difficulties in the grade, trying to match images from those cameras to ALEXA’s famously natural colorimetry and pleasing skin tones. With the ALEXA Mini these difficulties are eliminated because all images come from the same sensor and share the same color space. The ability to use CDLs and 3D LUTs in-camera for on-set color management will also reduce time and money spent in post.

Integrated Lens Motor Control and ND Filters, Perfect for Gimbals and Multicopters
The ALEXA Mini’s camera body has been designed with new-generation brushless gimbals, multicopters and other specialized rigs in mind. 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-stabilized aerial systems. The camera’s superb low-light performance makes it perfect for underwater work, and dedicated underwater housings are currently being developed by leading manufacturers.

Greater Efficiency through Integrated Functions
An integrated lens motor controller allows new active lens motors to be connected directly to the titanium PL mount, so focus, iris and zoom settings can be controlled from ARRI hand units without an additional external box. Further operational settings can be made remotely when working with the ARRI WCU-4 hand unit.

Cost-saving Camera and Lens Metadata
Integrated ARRI Lens Data System (LDS) technology brings the added value of frame‑accurate metadata about focus, iris and zoom settings. With these lens settings and exact depth‑of‑field displayed live on wireless hand units, precise adjustments can be made during a shot. The data also allows lens mapping to pre‑marked focus rings and reduces the time and expense involved in achieving complex visual effects in post.

Camera type
35 format film-style digital camera with lightweight and compact carbon body, 4:3/16:9 switchable active sensor area, support for ARRI MVF-1 viewfinder, built-in remote control capabilities via ARRI Electronic Control System and Wi-Fi, support for cforce motors, built-in motorized ND filters, interchangable lens mounts and ARRI Lens Data System

Dimensions
Length: 185 mm/7.3″
Width: 125 mm/4.9″
Height: 140 mm/5.5″
(camera body with PL lens mount)

Weight
~ 2.3 kg/5 lbs (camera body with titanium PL lens mount)

Sensor
35 mm format ARRI ALEV III CMOS with Bayer pattern color filter array

Photo sites
(with surround view)

16:9 ProRes HD 2880×1620
16:9 ProRes 2K 2867×1613
16:9 ProRes 3.2K 3200×1800
16:9 ProRes 4K UHD 3200×1800
4:3 ProRes 2.8K 2880×2160
6:5 ProRes De-squeezed to 2K 2560×2145

8:9 ProRes De-squeezed to HD 1920×2160
16:9 ARRIRAW 2.8K 2880×2160

Open Gate ARRIRAW 3.4K 3414×2198 *

Shutter
Electronic shutter, 5.0° to 356.0°

Exposure latitude
14+ stops over the entire sensitivity range from EI 160 to EI 3200
as measured with the ARRI Dynamic Range Test Chart (DRTC-1)

Exposure index
EI 800 base sensitivity

Filters
Built-in motorized ND filters 0.6, 1.2, 2.1

Lens mounts
Titanium PL mount with L-Bus connector and LDS
EF mount
PL mount with Hirose connector and LDS
B4 mount with Hirose connector

Recording media
CFast 2.0 memory cards

Recording formats
16:9 ProRes HD (1920 x 1080)
16:9 ProRes 2K (2048 x 1152)
16:9 ProRes 3.2K (3200 x 1800)
16:9 ProRes 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
4:3 ProRes 2.8K (2880 x 2160)
6:5 ProRes De-squeezed to 2K (2048 x 858)

8:9 ProRes De-squeezed to HD (1920 x 1080)
16:9 ARRIRAW 2.8K (2880 x 1620)

Open Gate ARRIRAW 3.4K (3414 x 2198) *
(The pixel count in brackets shows the number of pixels in the recorded file.)

Recording codec
ProRes 422, 422 HQ, 4444, 4444 XQ, ARRIRAW *

Recording frame rates
Recording Format: Maximum Frame Rate in fps (1)

Sensor Mode
Recording File Type: Recording Resolution (2), Recording File Setting, Internal Recording: External Recorder
CFast: 2.0 128 GB

Codex
16:9 ProRes HD 422 / 422 HQ 200 –
4444 200 –
4444 XQ 120 –
2K 422 / 422 HQ 200 –
4444 200 –
4444 XQ 120 –
3.2K 422 / 422 HQ 60 –
4444 60 –
4444 XQ 30 –
UHD 422 / 422 HQ 60 –
4444 60 –
4444 XQ 30 –
ARRIRAW 2.8K – 30 120
4:3 ProRes
2.8K 422 / 422 HQ 55 –
4444 55 –
4444 XQ 45 –
6:5 ProRes De-squeezed to 2K 422 / 422 HQ 150 –
4444 150 –
4444 XQ 120 –
8:9
ProRes De-squeezed to HD 422 / 422 HQ 150 –
4444 150 –
4444 XQ 120 –
Open Gate ARRIRAW
3.4K – 30 60

  • available in a later SUP ** 4:3 cropped *** Center crop from anamorphic (1) Minimum frame rate is always 0.75 fps (2) The „recording resolution“ determines the number of horizontal pixels that will be recorded (the number of vertical pixels is dependent on the recording file type and sensor mode)

Color output
Rec 709, custom look or Log C

Look control
Import of custom 3D LUT, ASC CDL parameter (slope, offset, power, saturation)

Adjustable image parameters
Knee, gamma, saturation, black gamma, saturation by hue

Focus and exposure control
Peaking, zebra, false color

White balance
Manual and auto white balance

Sound level
< 20 dB(A) at standard frame rates

Environmental
20° C to +45° C (-4° F to +113° F) @ 95% humidity max, non-condensing, Splash and dust-proof through sealed electronics

Viewfinder
Multi Viewfinder MVF-1 (OLED and LCD ) with flip-out LCD screen and military-grade connector to camera

Control interface
Soft buttons and OSD on SDI output, integration of Transvideo StarliteHD touch interface

ARRI lens motor control
Built-in radio interface for ARRI lens control L-Bus, motor output for daisy-chainable cforce lens control motors

Wi-Fi remote control
Built-in Wi-Fi interface and web-based remote control from phones, tablets and laptops

Custom control
Optional GPIO interface for integration with custom control interfaces

Power input
Lemo 8-pin, 10.5-34 V DC

Video outputs
2x HD-SDI out 1.5G and 3G: uncompressed HD video with embedded audio and metadata, SDI-6G interface to external CODEX recorder *

Inputs
SDI-Genlock (optional activation through ARRI Service), timecode (in and output)

Other interfaces
USB 2.0 (for usersets, looks etc.), Ethernet, EXT accessory interface w. RS pin

Alexa Mini Camera Body
Lens Mount w/ Port Cap
Electronic Viewfinder w/ Eye Cup
Viewfinder Mounting Bracket MVB-1
Viewfinder Attachment Bracket
(2) Viewfinder Cables
(2) MAP-2 15mm Baseplate
BPA-4 Bridge Plate Adapter
BPS-2 Bridge Plate Dovetail Sled
Dovetail Plate | (2) 15mm Rods
(2) MSB-1 Side Bracket
(2) MAP-1 LWT Adapter Plate
(2) Carry Handles: CTH-1 & CCH-2
(2) RMB-3 19mm Rod Bracket
(2) 15mm Reduction Insert
AC Power Supply w/ AC Cable
Mini XLR4 Power Input Cable
(2) KC50-S 24V Power Cable
Arri BAP-1 Battery Adapter Plate
Wooden Camera “D Box”
Arri BAP-2 Battery Adapter Plate
V-Mount Battery Adapter
Codex CFAST Reader
USB 3.0 To USB 3.0 Micro B Cable
Alexa Ethernet Cable
Sound Devices Time Code Cable
Wooden Camera A-Box
EXT Start/Stop Cable
3mm Allen Driver
Antenna | Manual

ARRI Alexa Mini