Image Quality | ARRI Digital

ARRI DIGITAL: Image Quality

Alexa Image Quality PRINT PDF

What Resolution is the Alexa Camera?

ALEXA has a 3.5K CMOS Imager yielding either a 2K or 1920 X 1080 HD image. Becase of ALEXA's use of the continuously improving ARRI Imaging Technology (AIT), images are sharper and cleaner than other cameras that claim 4K+ resolution. Click here to learn more about Resolution and Sharpness.

What is the Speed of the Alexa Camera?

Native sensitivity of the ALEXA is ISO 800 but the camera can be rated from ISO 200-ISO 1600 while maintaining excellent signal to noise performance.

How does the dynamic range of the Alexa compare to film and other digital cameras?

ALEXA has a measured dynamic range of 13.5 stops, giving it the widest range of any digital camera in the industry. Modern color negative film is 14+ stops.

To learn how we measure dynamic range and see comparison iamges between the ALEXA and a competitor's camera, click here.

Why is the Alexa unique in its support for anamorphic lenses?

The ALEXA OV Plus has a 4:3 aspect ratio sensor making it ideal for 2:1 anamorphic lenses common in anamorphic film production.

How does ARRIRAW compare to REDRAW?

ARRIRAW is uncompressed data from the sensor. Red employs proprietary wavelet compression of the data from the sensor called REDCODE for their "RAW" signal.

D-21 Image Quality PRINT PDF

Prisoners of the Sun; Cinematographer Ed Wild

HOW DOES THE DYNAMIC RANGE OF THE D-21 COMPARE TO FILM AND OTHER DIGITAL CAMERAS?

We measure our dynamic range with a practical test at over 10 stops, which is nearly as good as most film stocks, and better than most digital cameras.

What resolution is the d-21 camera?

The D-21 has a 3k sensor with a Bayer color filter array that is designed to produce uncompromised 2k or HD pictures. We call it a really good 2k camera. But you really must look at pictures. The D-21 pictures are sharper and cleaner than other cameras claiming 4k resolution due to uncompressed workflow.

WHAT IS THE SPEED OF THE D-21 CAMERA?

We have conservatively rated the D-21 at ISO200. Our customers are pleased by its performance in low light situations having achieved great results at ISO 400 and 500, and have even pushed it as far as ISO 800. As with film, the grain increases with ISO rating.

HOW DOES ARRIRAW COMPARE TO REDRAW?

Both formats store the raw data from a Bayer pattern sensor. The big difference is that the REDRAW format is compressed and ARRIRAW is not. This compression factor is from 8:1 to 12:1.

WHY IS THE D-21 UNIQUE IN ITS SUPPORT FOR ANAMORPHIC LENSES?

The D-21 sensor is a full 35mm frame size, with a full 1.33:1 aspect ratio, so you can use the full height and width of the 2:1 anamorphic image at full resolution. Compared to a digital camera with a native 1.78:1 aspect ratio, the D-21 delivers 33% more resolution.