Pixii (cameras)

Last updated
Pixii+ (A2572+)
Overview
MakerPixii
TypeDigital rangefinder camera
ReleasedNovember 2023
Intro price€2,699 (16 GB model)
Lens
Lens Leica M-mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor 3:2 APS-C inducing a 1.5 crop factor
Sensor type BSI-CMOS
Sensor maker Sony
Maximum resolution 26 megapixels (6244 x 4168 pixels)
Film speed ISO 160 up to ISO 12800
Recording medium Internal storage: 16 GB up to 256 GB
Focusing
Focus modesManual
Shutter
Shutter Electronic shutter
Shutter speed range2s to 1/32000
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Optical viewfinder with coinciding rangefinder
Electronic viewfinder LED backlit additional informations (frame lines, exposure indicators, etc)
Viewfinder magnificationx0.67
Frame coverage100%
General
Battery Li-ion 7.2V battery, 1080mAh capacity, model NP-FW50
Data Port(s)Bluetooth, plus USB-C for charging, display and transfer
Body featuresDual-block machined aluminium body, upgradeable components
Dimensions 138 x 79 x 33 mm
Weight 460 g including battery
Made in France
Chronology
ReplacedA2572 (2022)
PredecessorA1571 (2021), A1112 (2020)
References
[1]

The Pixii is a series of digital rangefinder cameras introduced by the homonymous french manufacturer in 2018. They have been often compared with the Leica M series.

Contents

Beside their rangefinder properties the Pixii series is known for their upgradeable design, removal of an LCD screen to preview photos, tight integration with smartphones and unavailability of external storage.

A full frame version, the Pixii Max, was released in July 2024.

Features

The first Pixii camera (A1112) was announced by the homonymous french startup in 2018, featuring rangefinder experience, M-mount and an APS-C CMOS sensor with global electronic shutter only. The body did not include an LCD to review photos, instead relying on the optical rangefinder and smartphone integration. Regarding storage an internal solution was favored instead of a card slot. The camera had and ISO range of 200 to 6400. [2] The 12MP camera officially became available to purchase in July 2020, at the price of 2,900 euro for the 8 GB model. [3]

In October 2021 a new model (A1571) became available, boosting an improved 26MP BSI-CMOS image sensor, interactive optical viewfinder, and USB-C connectivity. Price started at 2,999 USD for the base storage model and an upgrade path was offered to previous buyer, relying on the modular design of the camera. [4] DxOMark rated the dynamic range of the camera at around 13.5 stops, comparing it to the Leica M10. [5]

Another model (A2572) came in December 2022 featuring a 64bit processor which improved battery life, processing speed and transfer speed. [6] [7] It was further upgraded in November 2023 (A2572+) with a refined viewfinder and eyepiece. [8]

In July 2024 the Pixii Max was announced, the first full-frame camera of the series, at a price of 3,999 euro tax excluded for the 32 GB model. [9] [10]

Reception

The original Pixii model (A1112) was beta in June 2020. The reviewer recalls the intrigue he perceived upon the announcement, noting the simple interface, minimal amount of buttons and industrial design. The Pixii aims for a niche rangefinder market, intentionally offering a reduced amount of choices, while still boosting modern technologies in a non-mechnical body. He compares it with the Sigma's Foveon strategy, in praise of variety and against the one-fit-all design goals of major manufacturers. [11]

In December 2021, his follow up review of the A1571 praised the upgradable design of the camera and the ongoing software updates. Noting an improved viewfinder, better noise that slightly falls short of competition, and the new USB-C connector. He remarked that even though it will be compared to Leica, the Pixii stands alone. He criticized current connectivity issues on macOS, imperfect white balance, and a rangefinder patch that is not as good as the one Leica offers. [12]

Another reviewer compared, with a model provided by the manufacturer, the monochrome abilities of the Pixii to the Olympus OM-1 and Phase One IQ260 Achromatic. Even though a true monochrome sensor will deliver less noise and artifacts, most users will never notice, caring more about contrast and shadows performances. He also remarked that some lenses could block the rangefinder focusing window. [13]

A third reviewer received the A2572 model on loan from the manufacturer. They described it as even more purist than a Leica, praising the build quality of the Besançon manufacturer. The Pixii is sized similarly to the M10, while still being lighter than a M11. They confirmed the good dynamic range and rolling shutter performances. They complained about bad average metering, a missing hot shoe for flash, poor artifact-prone JPEGs produced by the camera, and extremely short battery life, which delivered 120 shots in a single charge. Similarly to other reviewers they noted that large size m-mount lenses will block the rangefinder, requiring an additional viewfinder, and that the monochrome mode is not able to compete with the monochrome M10. [14]

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References

  1. ↑ "Archived specifications for the Pixii+". Pixii official website. Archived from the original on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  2. ↑ Rehm, Lars. "Pixii is a display-less digital rangefinder that connects to your smartphone". DP Review. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  3. ↑ Burgett, Gannon. "Pixii's 12MP display-less M-mount rangefinder is now available to order". DP Review. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  4. ↑ Gray, Jeremy. "Pixii announces new 26MP version of its APS-C Pixii digital rangefinder camera". DP Review. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  5. ↑ "Pixii (A1571) Sensor test". DxOMark. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  6. ↑ "La nouvelle caméra Pixii est la première au monde à utiliser un processeur 64 bits". Lense. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  7. ↑ Kate, Molly. "NEWS: 2023 Pixii Camera with World's First 64-Bit Processor and True Monochrome". 35mmc. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  8. ↑ Gray, Jeremy. "New Pixii+ Digital Rangefinder Has an Extended Viewfinder, New Eyepiece". Peta Pixel. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  9. ↑ Siriostis, Georges. "Pixii Max : le premier appareil photo 24x36 mm made in France". Les Numeriques. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  10. ↑ Butler, Richard. "Pixii launches 24MP Pixii Max, its first full-frame rangefinder". DP Review. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  11. ↑ Hamish, Gill. "Pixii (Model A1112) – A Primer into this New Digital Rangefinder Concept". 35mmc. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  12. ↑ Hamish, Gill. "Pixii (A1571) Review – New Upgrades and Some Personal Experiences". 35mmc. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  13. ↑ Jim, Chung. "Pixii Camera – true monochrome performance with a Bayer layer?". Jim Chung Blog. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  14. ↑ Joerg-Peter, Rau. "New kid on the block: The Pixii rangefinder camera review gives you the full story". Macfilos. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
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