ARRI Announces the AMIRA Camera

by: cwalsh 11/05/2013

4:4:4 2K Modes with Frame Rates up to 200fps

The AMIRA expands ARRI's digital camera offering into ENG and documentary style production. The camera features the look of the ARRI ALEXA sensor and puts it into a lightweight and compact body designed to be ready for production right out of the box. Since the AMIRA’s sensor is the same as that of the ALEXA, you’ll get 14 stops of dynamic range, fantastic skin-tone rendition, a native ISO of 800, and EI range from 160 to 3200.

Recording in ProRes formats up to 4:4:4 in HD and 2K modes with frame rates up to 200fps, the AMIRA also includes all the standard frame rates of the ALEXA, in addition to some interlaced frame rates (59.94i and 50i), which are necessary for some broadcast applications. All recording is done to CFast 2.0 cards, which are fast and affordable.

The menu system of the camera mirrors the simplicity and ease of use found in the ALEXA; for ENG operation, a number of assignable buttons and dials cover the camera. White balance, EI, and shutter can all be easily adjusted from the outside of the camera with dials on the operator’s side. Also, the camera features an internal motorized ND filter wheel with 0.6, 1.2, and 2.1 ND filters.

The camera records four channels of 24-bit 48Hz audio and features two XLR 3-pin outputs with mic, line, phantom power, and AES3 support. There is also one XLR 5-pin input with stereo/mono mic inputs, line inputs, and phantom power options. The camera can be fitted with an ENG-style attachable microphone and has a side panel dedicated to audio levels. Levels can be set from the side of the camera or set directly to Auto Level.

The AMIRA is easy to balance on the shoulder with a specialized dovetail system on the top and bottom of the camera, and it is designed to snap into a quick-release tripod adapter plate (such as the VCT-14 from Sony). The back of the camera has an Anton Bauer gold mount on it with P-taps for power output, plus you’ll find 12V Hirose 4-pin connectors to power wireless audio and other accessories, as well as an Arri RS connector.

Product Highlights:
- Same sensor as the ARRI ALEXA
- Records HD 1080 or 2K
- More than 14 stops of Dynamic Range
- Beautiful skintone & natural color
- Records using ProRes LT, 422, 422HQ or 444 codecs
- Speeds of up to 200 fps
- Build-in ND filters
- High-res OLED eyepiece and fold-away LCD monitor
- Preloaded 3D Lut-based looks
- Rugged and reliable build