Summary
- ARRI has announced the new ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme for live productions
- The camera delivers up to 8x HFR in HD and 2x HFR in UHD over SDI
- It supports up to 330 fps with 17 stops and up to 480 fps with Sensor Overdrive
- The goal is a consistent cinematic look between the live feed and slow-motion replays
- The camera is available to order now
ARRI has announced the new ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme, a live production camera that delivers HFR output up to 8x over SDI.
The new camera was introduced on July 7, 2026, in Munich and joins the ARRI Multicam System, aiming to bring the cinematic image of the ALEXA 35 into live production environments such as sports broadcasts, concerts, television shows, and fashion events.
The importance of the announcement lies in the fact that productions can now capture super slow-motion material with the same aesthetic and color consistency as the main live image, without requiring a separate high-speed camera for replays or highlights.
Up to 8x HFR in HD and 2x in UHD
The ARRI ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme comes with permanent High Speed and High Frame Rate SDI licenses pre-installed. When paired with the ARRI Live Production System LPS-1, the camera can output HFR up to 8x in HD or 2x in UHD.
HFR output up to 4x can be delivered through a single SDI connection, while higher speeds are split across the camera’s two SDI outputs. This signal can be integrated into conventional broadcast workflows using a slow-motion playout server such as SimplyLive or EVS.
Frame rates up to 480 fps
The camera supports frame rates up to 330 fps while using the full 17 stops of dynamic range. At the same time, Sensor Overdrive mode enables capture up to 480 fps with 11 stops of dynamic range.
The system can simultaneously provide a live feed for broadcast and an HFR feed for slow motion. This allows operators to switch in real time between the program frame rate and high frame rate material.
ARRI also mentions a phase-blending feature, which provides control over motion blur and shutter effects in the live feed.
Cinematic image quality in a live environment
The ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme is based on a Super 35 sensor and uses the qualities that have made the ALEXA series well known, including wide dynamic range, high sensitivity, and accurate color reproduction.
Productions can use ready-made looks from the ARRI Look Library, ARRI’s Multicam looks, or their own LUTs. Traditional live painting also remains available, which is important in television environments with multiple cameras.
For sports, concerts, and fashion shows
ARRI positions the new camera mainly for sports productions, where slow motion plays a central role in replays. Its wide dynamic range can help in high-contrast scenes, such as winter sports or outdoor events.
For concerts, the camera’s sensitivity and latitude are designed to handle stage setups with intense and changing lighting. In fashion events, the 2x UHD capability offers slow motion at high resolution, with emphasis on fabric colors and textures.
Upgrades for existing cameras
The ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme joins ARRI’s broadcast lineup alongside the ALEXA 35 Live. ALEXA 35 Live cameras sold from 2026 onward can be upgraded to Xtreme functionality by purchasing the relevant High Speed and HFR SDI Licenses.
ALEXA 35 Live cameras sold before 2026 require a hardware upgrade through ARRI service centers. The company also states that further upgrade options are available for ALEXA 35 cine cameras, allowing them to be used in multicamera broadcast applications.
Availability
The ARRI ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme is available to order now.
What we think
The ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme clearly shows where high-end live production is heading: fewer compromises between television functionality and cinematic image quality. The most interesting point is not only the 8x HFR capability, but the ability to keep the look consistent between the live broadcast and slow-motion replays.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ARRI ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme?
It is ARRI’s new camera for live productions, with HFR output up to 8x over SDI.
How much slow motion does it support?
The camera supports up to 8x HFR in HD and up to 2x HFR in UHD when used with the ARRI LPS-1.
What is the maximum frame rate?
It reaches up to 330 fps with 17 stops of dynamic range and up to 480 fps with Sensor Overdrive at 11 stops.
Is a separate high-speed camera required?
According to ARRI, not necessarily, because the ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme can deliver HFR material with the same ARRI look as the main broadcast.
Is it available?
Yes, ARRI states that the ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme is available to order now.
