Tag: Pixii Max

  • Pixii Major Update, Next-Gen Rangefinder Camera 2027

    Pixii Major Update, Next-Gen Rangefinder Camera 2027

    Key Takeaway

    – Pixii’s next-generation rangefinder is nearly developed but won’t launch until 2027.
    – Major software update improves exposure metering speed and adds Highlight Protection.
    – JPEG processing is faster, and monochrome mode offers smoother gradients.
    – Lens correction is limited to storing data in EXIF, not automatic like Leica M.
    – Revised UI and updated smartphone app enhance speed and usability.


    Major update for Pixii Rangefinders

    Pixii already announced last October that a brand new rangefinder camera was being developed, and they have now confirmed that this model is pretty much finished, though production prep is still ongoing which means the launch aint expected until 2027.

    Software improvements and new features

    While Pixii has not yet confirmed any details about this next-generation camera, the manufacturer has released the biggest software update to date for the Pixii+ and Pixii Max, witch is intended to improve the two digital rangefinder cameras in many areas. First and foremost, the exposure metering should now work faster and more precisely, while a “Highlight Protection” feature should prevent highlights from being overexposed – a similar option is also offered by the Leica M11.

    Faster processing and lens correction

    JPEG processing is faster after the update, while the monochrome mode is supposed to render smoother gradients than before. With the update, Pixii introduces lens correction, although this does not go nearly as far as with a Leica M. While Leica uses the 6-bit code on the lens mount to recognise which lens is being used and automatically corrects distortion and vignetting in RAW files, Pixii only stores the corresponding lens information in the EXIF data of a photo so that it can be corrected more easily afterwards.

    Revised user interface and app

    Pixii has revised the user interface, both on the top display and in the viewfinder, so that menus can be operated more quickly and a real-time histogram can be displayed. The associated smartphone app has also been updated so that it works faster and more reliably than before.


    Sources

    • Pixii Launches New Rangefinder Camera Design in First Teaser Image

      Pixii Launches New Rangefinder Camera Design in First Teaser Image

      Key Takeaways

      1. Pixii launched their first digital rangefinder in 2018 after Epson ceased production of the R-D1 in 2009, filling a gap in the market.
      2. The Pixii Max, released in July 2024, features a full-frame sensor and numerous updates from the original model, while maintaining a similar design.
      3. A teaser image hints at significant upcoming changes in a new camera model, suggesting a departure from the current design.
      4. The new camera may feature a customizable dial and an LED ring around the shutter button, with a back display replacing the top display.
      5. Details about the specifications, pricing, and release date of the new camera are still pending.


      After Epson stopped making the R-D1 in 2009, the Leica M series was the sole choice for anyone wanting a digital rangefinder camera until Pixii, a French startup, introduced their own version in 2018. The initial model had an APS-C sensor, but in July 2024, they released the Pixii Max, which boasts a full-frame sensor.

      Changes Over the Years

      Between the launch of the first Pixii and the new Pixii Max, many updates have been made. The company has enhanced the sensor, upgraded the processor, and refined the rangefinder. Despite these improvements, the overall design has remained mostly the same from 2018 to 2024. However, this seems to be changing now, as the company has shared a teaser image on their official site that hints at a new camera, accompanied by the phrase “We invent the future.”

      Teaser Insights

      The teaser image reveals only a portion of the camera, but it indicates that Pixii is planning some major updates. Notably, the Pixii logo at the top is absent, along with the small display and the LED arrows that showed exposure status. There’s a large dial on top that seems to be customizable, and an LED ring is visible around the shutter release button.

      It appears that the rangefinder will still be part of the new design, as well as the Leica M bayonet and the two loops for a strap. However, the lack of a top display suggests that the next version of the Pixii will feature a display on the back, differing from the current model. More information about the specifications, pricing, or release date of this new camera is still awaited.


       

    • Pixii Max vs Leica M10 and M11: DxOMark Sensor Analysis

      Pixii Max vs Leica M10 and M11: DxOMark Sensor Analysis

      Key Takeaways

      1. The Pixii Max is a digital rangefinder camera from France, featuring a 24MP full-frame sensor, and is priced at €4,799.
      2. It is significantly cheaper than the Leica M11, which costs €8,750, but does not match the Leica’s performance.
      3. The Pixii Max received a DxOMark rating of 93 points, while the Leica M11 scored 100 points, making the Pixii Max a solid option for its price range.
      4. The Pixii Max has better low-light performance compared to the Leica M10, which has a similar sensor but a lower score of 86 points.
      5. Overall, the Pixii Max is considered a competitively priced alternative to the Leica M10, with no significant weaknesses in its sensor performance.


      Anyone interested in purchasing a digital rangefinder camera currently has just one option apart from the Leica M-Series, and that is the Pixii from France. Initially, this camera was launched featuring a 26MP APS-C sensor, but now the company offers the Pixii Max, which comes equipped with a 24MP full-frame sensor.

      Pricing and Comparison

      The starting price for the base model, which includes 32GB of internal storage, is €4,799. While this isn’t exactly budget-friendly, it’s still nearly €4,000 cheaper than the Leica M11, whose official price stands at €8,750. A fresh analysis from DxOMark indicates that the Pixii Max does not match the performance of the 60MP full-frame sensor found in the Leica M11, which has been rated as the top sensor of its class by DxOMark up to now.

      Performance Insights

      The Leica M11 achieved a DxOMark rating of 100 points, while the Pixii Max was rated at 93 points. This score puts it slightly ahead of the Pixii Plus with its APS-C sensor, but seven points behind the more affordable Nikon Z7 II. For those who are passionate about rangefinder cameras, the Leica M10 serves as a relevant reference; it also has a 24MP full-frame sensor but scores lower at 86 points. Interestingly, a used Leica M10 in decent condition is priced similarly to a new Pixii Max.

      Advantages of the Pixii Max

      One of the key benefits of the Pixii Max compared to both the Pixii Plus and the Leica M10 is its low-light performance, as it maintains a comparable image quality at an ISO that’s half a stop higher. Overall, the sensor in the Pixii Max displayed no significant weaknesses, leading DxOMark to conclude that it is a competitively priced alternative to the Leica M10.

      Source:
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    • Pixii Max vs Leica M11: Full-Frame Rangefinder Camera Review

      Pixii Max vs Leica M11: Full-Frame Rangefinder Camera Review

      The Pixii Max is one of the few options available besides the Leica M11, as both Leica and Pixii are among the last makers of rangefinder cameras. For the first time, the Pixii "Max" model comes with a full-frame sensor. With a starting price of $4,449, it is notably less expensive than the Leica M11, which is priced at $8,995. Even a pre-owned Leica M10 typically sells for over $4,000.

      Sensor Comparison

      Photons to Photos has taken a look at how the Pixii Max’s 24.5 MP full-frame sensor stacks up against the 60 MP sensor found in the Leica M11. The findings are pretty clear, as the Pixii Max reaches a maximum dynamic range of 10.5 f-stops, while the Leica M11 boasts a more impressive 11.8 f-stops. Even when it comes to higher light sensitivities, Leica consistently maintains about half an f-stop advantage, leading to noticeably superior image quality in addition to its higher resolution.

      Performance Analysis

      The Pixii Max does fall short compared to the Leica M10 from 2017, but it does outperform the Leica M (Typ 240) from 2012. A comparison with cameras that have smaller sensors reveals that having a full-frame sensor doesn’t always guarantee a better dynamic range. For instance, the Leica TL2 is slightly ahead of the Pixii Max, and the Fujifilm X100VI is about on the same level as the full-frame camera.

      Unique Features

      As a result, the Pixii Max struggles to match the Leica M11 in terms of image quality, but it offers a variety of unique features that set it apart. It includes a rangefinder and uses the Leica M bayonet, and it also comes with a monochrome RAW mode while lacking a rear display. For more information about the Pixii Max, you can visit the official product page.

      Source: Link,Link


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