ARRI digital camera featuring 65mm large-format sensor (6.5K resolution), 14 stops dynamic range, and native ISO 800; designed for premium productions and IMAX cinema.
Famous examples · ARRI Alexa 65
The Hateful Eight
Tarantino and Richardson paired the Alexa 65 with Ultra Panavision 70 lenses to frame claustrophobic interiors in epic widescreen – a paradox that showcases the camera's unique sensor capabilities.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Robert Yeoman used the Alexa 65 to capture sun-drenched Greek landscapes with extraordinary color depth and gentle shallow focus that smaller sensors cannot replicate.
Dunkirk
Hoyte van Hoytema combined IMAX film with the Alexa 65 for digital sequences, creating a seamless large-format experience that places viewers directly inside the chaos of war.
Nightmare Alley
Dan Laustsen exploited the Alexa 65's shallow depth of field to craft the film's dark noir world with dreamlike out-of-focus backgrounds and sculptural foreground subjects.
Film stills sourced via the TMDB API. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. themoviedb.org ›
Technical Details
The sensor operates with 14 stops of dynamic range and a native ISO sensitivity of 800. The camera records in ARRIRAW (2.6 GB/min) or ProRes (up to 540 MB/min) onto CFast 2.0 cards. The body weighs 7.5 kg without lens and accessories. The camera uses PL-mount lenses and can be powered by 12V or 24V. The rolling shutter is 2.56 ms at 24 fps. Variants include the Alexa 65 Studio (compact version) and special IMAX-certified configurations.
History & Development
ARRI first introduced the Alexa 65 in 2014, developed for premium productions and IMAX projections. The camera arose from the demand for higher resolution with proven Alexa color science. It was first used in productions in 2015. Christopher Nolan used it for test shots even during the development phase. Production was discontinued in 2020 as ARRI shifted its focus to the Alexa LF and Mini LF.
Practical Use in Film
Prominent productions such as "The Revenant" (2015), "Rogue One" (2016), and "Blade Runner 2049" (2017) utilized the Alexa 65 for landscape shots and VFX-intensive sequences. The camera is suitable for IMAX projections, as the 6.5K resolution enables lossless 4K deliverables. The workflow requires powerful post-production systems due to the large data volumes. Disadvantages include the high weight, limited framerate options, and high storage requirements.
Comparison & Alternatives
In contrast to the standard Alexa (2.8K), the 65 offers significantly higher resolution with identical color science. The ARRI Alexa LF (4.4K, 36.70 x 25.54 mm sensor) is the direct successor with a more compact design and higher framerates. RED Weapon 8K VV and Sony Venice offer similar large-format image circles. For IMAX productions, it competes with specialized 15/70mm film cameras. The Alexa 65 remains the first choice for maximum image quality with proven ARRI color, while the LF series offers more flexibility.