Review Arri Alexa 35 Xtreme

REVIEW ARRI ALEXA 35 XTREME

Arri offers us an updated version of the Alexa 35 that includes improvements through hardware modification. We are talking about the Alexa 35 Xtreme.

At the beginning of this year 2025 Arri launched the Alexa 35 Base. This camera was the same as the original Alexa 35 arri cameras but with restricted licensing options. With this move, the camera is offered to the market at half price in order to approach a larger segment of potential customers. Thus, the original Alexa 35 was renamed Premium and if you had purchased the Alexa 35 Base and wanted to upgrade to Premium, you would only have to purchase the licenses in its permanent mode.

Now, with the release of the Alexa 35 Xtreme, Arri intends to expand its market niche in the opposite direction. This camera has several improvements and I will develop them below:

HARDWARE ALEXA 35 XTREME

One of the key improvements of the ALEXA 35 XTREME over the standard ALEXA 35 is in its internal hardware. The XTREME incorporates a new main processor that offers increased memory capacity and speed, enabling faster and more efficient data processing, especially useful when working with high-speed formats or more demanding workflows. In addition, the cooling system has been completely redesigned, improving heat dissipation and ensuring more stable performance even during extended recording sessions. Another important improvement is the two new, longer Wi-Fi antennas, which considerably improve the range and stability of the wireless connection on set. On a physical level, the XTREME is virtually identical to its predecessor: it retains the same housing, the same connectors, and is 100% compatible with all current Alexa 35 accessories and codex (2TB, 1TB and Express 1TB). The only external visual difference is the "XTREME" identification sticker.

EXTENDED FUNCTIONALITIES

In terms of functionalities, the ALEXA 35 XTREME retains all the capabilities already present in the ALEXA 35, but adds a series of improvements that position it at the top of the range. One of the main new features is its ability to record at high frame rates of up to 660 frames per second, in 2k. This is made possible by the new 'ARRICORE' RGB codec, still in beta, which includes a special mode called Sensor Overdrive, specifically designed to optimise the sensor to achieve these extreme recording speeds. In this mode the camera would record at 11 latitude steps instead of 17.

PRE-RECORDING TIME

A notable improvement introduced by the XTREME is its extension of the pre-recording time from the 30 seconds offered by the ALEXA 35 to up to 5 minutes, depending on the format used. This makes the XTREME the most pre-roll capable cinema camera on the market, a decisive advantage in shooting situations where capturing spontaneous action is essential.

On the other hand, it's worth mentioning that I don't know how much pre-record time it offers in slow motion, or if it even offers it at all. Just recording a few seconds before pressing the button is key in slow motion recordings as it allows you to capture only what is necessary, and not record seconds with a large number of frames where no action or movement has taken place.

POWER CONSUMPTION

Another quiet but important improvement is its energy efficiency. The ALEXA 35 XTREME manages to reduce its power consumption by approximately 10% compared to the previous model. This not only has a positive impact on battery life, but also simplifies energy management on resource-constrained sets.

WI-FI CONNECTIVITY

In terms of connectivity, the XTREME also takes a leap forward. In addition to improved physical antennas, it now supports the 5 GHz band, allowing for faster and more stable connections. The camera is also able to automatically connect to known Wi-Fi networks, making it even easier to integrate into modern, connected production environments.

wHAT IF I ALREADY HAVE AN ALEXA 35 AND WANT TO UPGRADE TO XTREME?

If you already have an Alexa 35 Base or Premium and want to convert it to Xtreme, Arri makes it possible to carry out the hardware modification at its facilities for the price of €15,900. The estimated time it would take to complete this operation would be one week plus transport time to and from the site.

All in all, the appearance of the Alexa 35 Xtreme is good news for those who want to buy it. However, it may be questionable for those who have already purchased an Alexa 35, whether it is worth the costly hardware change. Also, in the case of the Alexa 35 Base, even with the upgrade, you would not enjoy the 60fps+ recording options or the pre-recording option, which I consider to be the most important.

If you find yourself in this situation and a project comes up where you need to record in slow motion, you might consider renting a Freefly Ember. This camera allows you to record up to 600fps at 5k with 11 steps of latitude and a pre-record option. It is an economical option for those who don't want to make the hardware change.