Pixii is a French manufacturer known for its series of rangefinder cameras. The company has recently updated its website with the first glimpse of a new camera.
What’s a rangefinder camera?
Rangefinder cameras have an optical viewfinder instead of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) or LCD screen. They are also likely to be manual cameras without the option for autofocus. Instead, you have to use the camera’s rangefinder, hence the name. When you look through the optical viewfinder, you will see two images of your subject. As you turn the focus ring on the camera’s lens, the images move closer together or further apart. When the two images coincide, then your frame is in focus, and you can take your shot.
What has Pixii announced?
Pixii hasn’t made any formal announcement of a new camera at the time of writing. However, the company has shared an image across its website and social media channels. The image shows the top part of a camera body shaded mostly in darkness. There is also the caption “We invent the future”. While the body appears similar to Pixii’s previous cameras, one apparent change is the removal of the top panel OLED control screen.
Current Pixii range
Pixii has produced three cameras to date. However, the original Pixii model, launched in 2018, is now sold out and unavailable. The two current models are the Pixii Max with a 24.5 megapixel (MP) full-frame sensor and the 26 MP APS-C sensor Pixii+. Both cameras also feature Leica-M compatible lens mounts and a native monochrome mode. Additionally, the cameras have dual-block machined aluminum bodies. However, one thing you don’t get is an LCD screen. You can only review your photos via a smartphone app or on a computer.
What we think
Pixii’s cameras aim to give you the experience of shooting on film, even though you are using a digital camera. There’s no EVF or LCD screen, so you don’t get a preview of your image before you take it. You also need to connect an external device to review your image afterward.
In addition, Pixii cameras are still photography only. There’s no video option here. Pixii has created cameras that effectively make you think about taking photographs in a completely different and more mindful way. With the bold tag line “We invent the future”, it is exciting to see what Pixii is launching next.
Pricing and availability
Other than the teaser image, Pixii hasn’t given any details of the new camera yet.
