Red V-Raptor S35 XL vs Arri Alexa 35. Which makes more sense?

Who would have thought Arri and Red will release Super 35mm cameras after the full frame craze a few years ago?

With the Arri Alexa 35, Arri has upped the ante with a camera with 17 stops of dynamic range. That’s insane, considering how the Alexa and Alexa LF had only 14+ stops and still had the most dynamic range of any camera.

The Red V-Raptor S35 XL is Red’s newest entry. We compare the XL version because otherwise it wouldn’t be a fair fight.

Both cameras have a sensor that is close to the Super 35mm standard. The Red V-Raptor S35 XL shoots 8K, and the ARRI Alexa 35 shoots 4K.

Both cameras are designed for the highest value productions – feature films, commercials, web series, etc. Image quality is paramount. To a cinematographer the choice boils down to subjective criteria. To a rental house, the numbers are important to look at.

In this article we look at both cameras from a technical and financial standpoint. In the end, if you like the look of any particular camera, the decision has already been made.

Treat this as a fun comparison with currently available information. There will only be one winner. Let’s go.

The basics

We’ll start with the price and sensor sizes:

Camera	Price (body only)	Sensor Size
Red V-Raptor S35 XL	$34,995	26.21 x 13.82 mm
ARRI Alexa 35	$71,000*	27.99 x 19.22 mm

You can buy two Red V-Raptor S35 XL bodies for the price of one ARRI Alexa 35 body. That’s not the whole story though, as we will see. There is a big difference in the sensor size. The Alexa 35 has a taller sensor, and this allows it to be a true anamorphic frame. To know more about anamorphic read these:

How Anamorphic Lenses made Halloween Scary

Anamorphic Workflow Guide for Mirrorless Cameras

Both camera systems need accessories to make them work, and you can purchase production sets that make it cheaper.

Here’s a comparison of what you get with each pack:

Item	Red V-Raptor S35 XL	Arri Alexa 35
Camera body	Camera body	Camera body
Licenses	None Required	Cine License*
Lens Mount	PL Mount (EF available)	PL Mount
Lens Adapters	None	1 x ARRI PL-to-LPL Adapter and LPL Mount
External Monitor	DSMC3 RED Touch 7” LCD and Hood and RMI Cable	None
Viewfinder	None	Multi Viewfinder MVF-2 with cables and Mount
Media Cards	2x RED PRO CFexpress 2TB	None
Card Reader	1x RED CFexpress Card Reader	None
Batteries	4x REDVOLT XL-V/G	None
Battery Charger	1x RED Compact Dual V-Lock Charger	None
Battery Adapter	Not Required	1 x Power Distribution Module PDM-1 1 x B-Mount Battery Adapter 1 x 3-pin XLR Adapter Cable
AC Adapter	None	None
XLR Adapter	1x 5-Pin to Dual XLR Adapter	None
Top Handle	V-RAPTOR XL Top Handle w/ Extensions	Production Support Set – Top
Baseplate	V-RAPTOR XL Riser Plate	Production Support Set – Bottom (15mm) Balance Utility Dovetail BUD-1
15mm support	Top and Bottom 15mm LWS Rod Support Brackets	Bottom Only
Side Handle	None	Yes
Price	$44,995	$82,640

The price difference is obvious, but now let’s see if its justified.

Comparison of sensors and video features

Here’s how the camera sensors compare:

Camera	Resolution	Shutter	Dynamic Range	ISO
Red V-Raptor S35 XL	8192 × 4320	Rolling	16.5	250-12,800
ARRI Alexa 35	4608 x 3164	Rolling	17	160-6400

The native ISO for both cameras is ISO 800. The ARRI Alexa 35 has more dynamic range, and it also has noise reduction at higher sensitivities, something Arri calls ES (Enhanced Sensitivity).

The Red V-Raptor S35 XL seems to have a higher ISO, but it has a lower low ISO. Filming in 8K and downsampling to 4K will have two added benefits:

• More sharpness
• Better noise reduction. Sometimes it’s almost as if you’re adding an additional stop of dynamic range.

I’d say the cameras are neck and neck here, with the edge going to the Alexa 35 for its higher dynamic range. Red’s DR numbers have always been higher than Arri’s, but doesn’t translate to real-world cinematography.

Regarding rolling shutter performance, Red claims the V-Raptor is twice as fast as any previous Red camera. Both cameras have to be tested to know for sure, so I’ll reserve judgement.

What about frame rates? Red has the upper hand here:

Max Frame Rate	Red V-Raptor S35** (17:9)	Crop Factor^	ARRI Alexa 35^ (16:9)	Crop Factor
8K	120 fps (150 fps @ 2.40:1)	1.37	N/A	N/A
6K	160 fps (200 fps @ 2.40:1)	1.83	N/A	N/A
4.6K	N/A	N/A	75 fps	1.29
4K	240 fps (300 fps @ 2.40:1)	2.74	120 fps*	1.44
2K	480 fps (600 fps @ 2.40:1)	5.48	120 fps	2.90

The Red V-Raptor S35 XL can do in 8K what the ARRI Alexa 35 can do in 4K. But note two important details:

The crop factor in 8K is better if Super 35mm is your goal, not so much if anamorphic is your goal.

You can’t use Redcode HQ for the highest frame rates, so you won’t get the best image quality. Whereas with the Alexa 35 you still get uncompressed ARRIRAW.

Most productions only need 120 fps, and both cameras deliver that. Red has the upper hand here with additional frame rates if the job requires it. The sensor is cropped at higher frame rates, which is nothing new for Red cameras.

The important distinction here is the added reach of an 8K sensor. E.g., if you’re filming wildlife with a 600mm lens, this is how it translates in practical situations:

Camera	Focal length in 8K	Focal length in 4K
Red V-Raptor S35 XL	822mm	1644mm
ARRI Alexa 35	774mm	N/A

Obviously Red has the upper hand for wildlife filmmakers.

There is no DnxHR recording in either camera.

What you get externally:

Camera	SDI Ports	Best external resolution and fps
Red V-Raptor S35 XL	3x 12G-SDI	4096x2160p @ 60fps 10-bit 4:2:2
ARRI Alexa 35	2x 12G-SDI	3840×2160 @ 60 fps 10-bit 4:2:2*

ND Filters and Autofocus

A look at the various filters and features these cameras have:

Camera	Filters	Pre-Record	Autofocus
Red V-Raptor S35 XL	Electronic ND filter: 0.6 to 2.1	Yes	No*
Alexa 35	Clear, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8	Yes	No

Arri has optical filters, including a clear filter. These filters are better than IRND filters and are perfect for the sensor. On the other hand, Red has a higher ND range, and you can more precisely control ND.

The Red V-Raptor S35 XL has autofocus with RF lenses. In this comparison, we’re looking at PL lenses, and there’s no autofocus with either camera.

Audio

Let’s have a look at their audio specs:

Camera	Connection	Specs
Red V-Raptor S35 XL	Mic, Line +48V input via 5-pin	24-bit 48 kHz
ARRI Alexa 35	1x LEMO 6pin balanced stereo line in with 12V power output*	24-bit 48 kHz

I don’t like the audio solutions of both cameras. They seem half-assed. The Alexa module has mini-XLR inputs, and that means another adapter for full-size XLR ports.

Both have an headphone jack.

I’m going to ignore audio for this comparison because clearly that’s not what these cameras will be doing.

Lenses

Both the cameras come with interchangeable lens mounts.

The ARRI Alexa 35 comes with a LPL or PL mount and a PL-to-LPL adapter with the kit.

The Red V-Raptor S35 XL comes with a PL mount with /i support. You can also opt for a locking Canon EF mount, as well as older DSMC3 mounts. None of them have electronic data, though.

Ergonomics and Monitoring

The ARRI Alexa 35 is weather sealed and splash proof, and is designed for tough environments. That’s a huge advantage. On the other hand, Red cameras have been used in tough wildlife environments (think forests and Antartica), and I don’t see major issues. Here’s what Arri says about the Alexa 35:

Before shipping, every ALEXA 35 undergoes extreme temperature and vibration tests to ensure a lifetime of reliable service on set. During development, the camera was shaken, frozen, cooked, and subjected to blunt impact trauma, while connectors were repeatedly stress-tested by robotic arms. The result? ALEXA 35 is temperature resistant, splash and dust-proof, and built to last, delivering a safe return on investment.

Arri.com

I don’t anticipate the Red V-Raptor S35 XL to be any worse. I’d still give it to the Alexa 35 though.

The V-Raptor S35 XL comes with a 7″ LCD touch screen monitor with which you can control the camera functions.

The Alexa 35 kit comes with a viewfinder with an HD OLED 4″ flip out screen. If you need an external monitor you’ll have to get one. With the V-Raptor, you’ll have to buy an external viewfinder.

Weight and size:

Camera	Weight	Volume (In cubic inches)
Red V-Raptor S35 XL	7.99 lbs (with PL Mount, V-Lock) 8.08 lbs (with PL Mount, Gold Mount)	331.5
ARRI Alexa 35	6.4 lbs (Camera body with three antennas and LPL Mount)	278.4

They’re pretty much even now. The Alexa 35 will put on a bit of weight and size once the battery adapters are in place.

Now let’s look at the other interfaces these cameras have:

Port	Red V-Raptor S35 XL	ARRI Alexa 35
EVF	1x 3G-SDI (EVF) in the front	2x VF ports (back and front)
Genlock	Tri-Level Genlock through BNC	1x SYNC IN (BNC) for Genlock synchronization
Timecode	Linear Timecode (LTC) through 5-Pin 0B	1x TC (LEMO 5-pin) for timecode In/Out
Wi-Fi	Wireless Genlock and Timecode through Integrated Ambient Communication Network (ACN)	WiFi module White Radio for ARRI ECS lens and camera remote control
Control	GigE PTP through 9-Pin 0B 4-Pin 00B CTRL (RS-232)	1x ETH (LEMO 10-pin) for remote control and service
USB	1x USB-C	1x USB-C for user setups, look files etc
Additional ports*		1x LBUS (LEMO 4-pin) for lens motors, daisy chainable 1x SERIAL (LEMO 4-pin) for distance measuring accessories 1x Rear Interface (18-pin Pogo) for connection of modules and battery adapters 1x Top Interface (5-pin Pogo)

This isn’t an extensive list, though both cameras cover all the important features well. The devil is in the details, and that’s beyond the scope of this article.

Media and Batteries

Here are the codecs you can record to:

Camera	Internal RAW	Bit depth for RAW	Max. RAW Data Rate	Other Codecs
Red V-Raptor S35 XL	Redcode RAW	12-bit	800 MB/s	ProRes 4444 XQ, ProRes 4444, ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 422, ProRes 422 LT
Alexa 35	ARRIRAW	13-bit*	584.5 MB/s	ProRes 4444 XQ, ProRes 4444, ProRes 422 HQ

Camera	Media Type	Price (2 TB)	Price per GB	Price for 4 hours*
Red V-Raptor S35 XL	RED CFexpress Type B	$960	$0.47	$5,288
ARRI Alexa 35	Codex Compact Drive	$4,240	$2.07	$17,014

The drives for the ARRI Alexa 35 are Codex Compact Drives and they come in only two variants, 1TB and 2TB. You need 2 TB to get faster fps, and it would be dumb not to get them. The price is murder.

You would also need a Codex Compact Drive Reader for $670.

On the other hand, for the Red V-Raptor S35 XL:

Red is allowing users to use any card in the market as long as they hit sustained 800 MB/s write. Very few cards do at this time. For an updated list of compatible cards, click here.

What about batteries?

Camera	Mount	Battery	Power Draw (Body only)	Battery Voltage
Red V-Raptor S35 XL	V-Mount | Gold Mount	REDVOLT XL-G / XL-V	65W-75W	28V
ARRI Alexa 35	B-mount	Bebob B290CINE	85W-135W	24V

What about battery life?

Camera	Battery life*	Watt hours	Cost	Cost of 8 hours of operation
Red V-Raptor S35 XL	2.08 hours	156	$950	$3,654
ARRI Alexa 35	2.19 hours	294	$969	$3,540

I’m sticking to the official batteries and chargers (Arri’s B-mount stuff is made by Bebob), but you can use cheaper varieties as long as they are proven performers and can consistently deliver clean power. For V-mount or Gold-mount options with the Alexa 35, you need third party solutions.

Let’s have a look at the power outlets they both have:

Current	Red V-Raptor S35 XL	ARRI Alexa 35
200 mA	N/A	SERIAL Connector – 12 V (4-pin LEMO)
1 A	2-Pin 0B- 12 V	N/A
1.5 A	2-Pin 0B- 12 V	N/A
2 A	N/A	12V (2-pin LEMO)
3 A	2x P-TAP Connectors – 12 V (Combined) 2x 3-Pin Fischer – 24 V (Combined)	RS – 24 V (3-pin Fischer)
4 A	N/A	LBUS Connector – 24 V (4-pin LEMO)

I think you can adequately cover your focus motors and other gear through these cameras.

Which is cheaper to own?

Let’s add up the costs:

Item	Red V-Raptor S35 XL	Price	Arri Alexa 35	Price
Production Kit	Kit Cost	$44,995	Kit Cost	$82,640
Licenses	None Required	$0	Cine License*	$0
Lens Mount	PL Mount (EF available)	$0	PL Mount	$0
Lens Adapters	None	$0	1 x ARRI PL-to-LPL Adapter and LPL Mount	$0
External Monitor	DSMC3 RED Touch 7” LCD and Hood and RMI Cable	$0	SmallHD INDIE 7 Touchscreen Monitor	$1,399
Viewfinder	Zacuto Kameleon Pro EVF and Cable Kit	$2,100	Multi Viewfinder MVF-2 with cables and Mount	$0
Media Cards	2x RED PRO CFexpress 2TB	$0.	2x ARRI Codex Compact Drive 2TB	$8,480
Card Reader	1x RED CFexpress Card Reader	$0	ARRI Codex Compact Drive Reader	$670
Batteries	4x REDVOLT XL-V/G	$0	4x Bebob B290CINE 14.4/28.8V 294Wh B-Mount Li-ion Battery	$3,876
Battery Charger	1x RED Compact Dual V-Lock Charger	$0	Bebob Dual B-Mount Battery Charger	$379
Battery Adapter	Not Required	$0	1 x Power Distribution Module PDM-1 1 x B-Mount Battery Adapter 1 x 3-pin XLR Adapter Cable	$0
AC Adapter	None	$0	None	$0
XLR Adapter	1x 5-Pin to Dual XLR Adapter	$0	None*	$0
Top Handle	V-RAPTOR XL Top Handle w/ Extensions	$0	Production Support Set – Top	$0
Baseplate	V-RAPTOR XL Riser Plate	$0	Production Support Set – Bottom (15mm) Balance Utility Dovetail BUD-1	$0
15mm support	Top and Bottom 15mm LWS Rod Support Brackets	$0	Bottom Only	$0
Side Handle	None	$0	Yes	$0
Media^	For an additional 7 TB	$3,365	For an additional 4 TB	$8,507
Total Cost		$50,460		$105,951

It’s pretty obvious the ARRI Alexa 35 is twice the price of the Red V-Raptor S35 XL, when evened out.

Is it twice as good?

Verdict

First a recap:

Feature	Winner
Sensor and Anamorphic mode	Alexa 35
Dynamic Range	Alexa 35
ISO Range	V-Raptor S35
Rolling Shutter	To be Tested
Built-in ND filters	Alexa 35
Frame Rates	V-Raptor S35
Codecs	V-Raptor S35
SDI ports	V-Raptor S35
Lenses and Mounts	V-Raptor S35
Media	V-Raptor S35
Ergonomics	V-Raptor S35
Weather Sealing	Alexa 35
Batteries	Tie
Power Outputs	Tie

Now we’ll let the cameras present their case for themselves:

Camera	Major Pros	Major Cons
Red V-Raptor S35 XL	8K, Redcode compression, multiple lens mounts, RF mount for autofocus, HFR	Weather sealing, higher frame rates only in higher compression
ARRI Alexa 35	Open Gate mode, anamorphic mode, Weather sealing, Dynamic Range, worldwide service, repairs, availability and support	Price, lens mounts, insane media costs, power draw

I’d pick the following two cameras in this way:

Project	Camera	Major Reasons
Fictional films	Alexa 35	That’s what most cinematographers and filmmakers prefer. But you can use either camera, really. Arri gets the edge for its anamorphic mode and dynamic range.
Documentaries	V-Raptor S35	Better battery life and media costs. Cheaper post production at lower compression settings.
Music Videos	V-Raptor S35	High Frame rates. Cheaper post production at lower compression settings.
Wildlife	V-Raptor S35	Better battery life and media costs. Cheaper post production at lower compression settings. Lens options, especially Canon EF lenses.

On the whole, I think the ARRI Alexa 35 will be a popular camera.

But if we are fair to this comparison, the Red V-Raptor S35 XL wins. It can do almost everything the Alexa 35 can, but at half the cost.

What do you think?