Not everyone wants to own a Canon, Nikon or Sony, even if they dominate our guide to the best cameras, and for photographers who like their technology to be a little more innovative, the new Pixii Max could be the perfect blend of old and new.
French startup Pixii has been making Leica M-mount rangefinder cameras since 2018, but the new Max is the first with a full-frame sensor. And like Pixii’s APS-C cameras, it promises to be a fascinating blend of modern design and an old-school photography experience.
The Leica M mount means the Max is only compatible with manual focus lenses, meaning it will be an acquired taste. Still, it could certainly appeal to Leica fans who want something a little different to their Leica M11, or those who can't afford to buy one of those new ones.
The Pixii Max is no Leica copy either, with a modern, minimalist design crafted from a block of aluminium and no rear screen. Its optical viewfinder (0.67x magnification) offers a 28mm angle of view with 35mm frame lines for those who prefer that focal length.
The Max’s full-frame sensor is 24.5MP, which Pixii founder David Barth says is “the sweet spot for contemporary cameras.” While modern mirrorless cameras like the Sony A7 IV have moved up to 33MP resolution, and even APS-C models like the Fujifilm X-T5 have hit 40MP, 24.5MP is still certainly enough resolution for most.
Another modern feature, which remains oddly uncommon on the best mirrorless cameras, is built-in storage. The Max will be available in a 32GB version (which can store around 840 DNG or 1700 JPEGs) or a 128GB model (3350 DNG or 6800 JPEGs).
You'll be able to pre-order the Pixii Max in black or space grey from 5 July. The 32GB model costs £3,385 (about $4,320 or AU$6,430) and the 128GB model costs £3,596 (about $4,595 or AU$6,830). Shipping is expected to begin in September.
Cameras are fun and weird again
The rise of smartphones pushed cameras over a cliff in terms of sales and originality, but they've found new life as demand for a more tactile shooting experience grows, and the Pixii Max could well capitalise on that.
Ever since the original Pixii camera hit the market in 2019, there have been calls for a full-frame version, and the French startup has now delivered. It also confirmed that it remains committed to the Pixii Plus APS-C, with the Max alongside that camera.
The Max isn't for everyone, but that's the point. A camera with no rear screen, electronic viewfinder or autofocus, it's aimed at photography purists, but it also has some refreshingly modern touches, like internal storage and a minimalist design.
The recent popularity of the Fujifilm X100VI bodes well for rangefinder compact cameras, and the Pixii Max has the appeal to make it one of this year's most intriguing new cameras. We can't wait to try one out before it starts shipping later this year.
