The original Pixii camera was a new take on the digital rangefinder camera when it arrived in 2018, and now its French maker has announced an intriguing successor. Also known as the Pixii camera, the second-gen version brings a new 26MP APS-C sensor (instead of its predecessor's slightly puny 11MP sensor) and a new "interactive viewfinder." The latter is not a modern electronic viewfinder, but instead combines a traditional optical viewfinder with projected electronic information, such as your settings, which you can change from the viewfinder. We've seen hybrid viewfinders on cameras like the Fujifilm X-Pro 3 before, but none of them look like this. The Pixii camera is a bit of an odd mix of old and new in other ways, too. It is compatible with Leica M mount lenses, which date back to the 1950s and are generally small, lightweight, and very expensive. Focus and aperture control are also always manual. But it also brings some features that we'd like to see traditional camera giants like Canon, Nikon and Sony adopt. Pixii offers internal storage: you can choose between 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB versions, the latter being enough for 3.650 DNG files. Like its predecessor, the camera also instantly sends a preview of the photo you've just taken to your iOS or Android phone, via Bluetooth 5. You then have the option to import the full DNG file and edit it beforehand. To share it on social networks. . Some more standard upgrades include USB-C connectivity and an extended ISO range, which has gone from the modest ISO100-6400 of the first version to 160-12.800. You'll be able to pre-order the Pixii camera from September 30 starting at €2,999 (roughly €2,590 / AU$4,840) for the base version without internal storage, with orders shipping from October 11. It will, however, cost $3,540 (about $3,055 / AU$5,715).
Analysis: an elegant mix of old and new.
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(Image credit: Pixii) The Pixii camera's price point and Leica M mount make it a niche camera, but it also packs some new consumer insights that we'd love to see in other cameras. Just like smartphones, you can buy it with a generous amount of internal storage (up to 128GB). An even better scenario would be to combine an internal SSD with a memory card slot, so you can upgrade it and spread the risk between the cards. But the inclusion of onboard storage certainly looks very modern and streamlined compared to most mirrorless cameras today. We also love the sound of instant smartphone photo previews, which appear immediately after pressing the shutter button. Related apps from major manufacturers vary widely in quality, with Fujifilm's being particularly dated, so we certainly like the look of the Pixii camera app. That said, the camera's lack of rear screen means the app does a great job, and the "interactive optical viewfinder", while admittedly unique, is still much more specialized than a standard EVF, giving you a comprehensive overview. of the shot you are about to take. We're all for bolshy new players in the somewhat serious camera market, and the Pixii camera joins the Alice camera in being another intriguing take on the screenless mirrorless camera.