The stunning Pixii Max looks like the ultimate hipster camera for Leica fans

French startup launches its first full-frame rangefinder

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Not everyone wants to own aCanon, Nikon, orSony, even if they do dominate our guide to thebest cameras– and for photographers who like their tech to be a little more left-field, the new Pixii Max could be the perfect blend of old and new.

French startup Pixii has been making rangefinder cameras with Leica M mountssince 2018, but the new Max is its first with a full-frame sensor. And likePixii’s APS-C cameras, it promises to be a fascinating blend of modern design and an old-school shooting experience.

That Leica M-mount means the Max is only compatible with manual-focus lenses, which means it’ll be an acquired taste. Still, it could certainly appeal to Leica fans who want a something a bit different to theirLeica M11– or those who can’t afford to buy one of those new.

The Pixii Max is certainly no Leica rip-off either, with a modern, minimalist design that’s machined from a block of aluminum and has 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 a 24.5MP affair, which Pixii founder David Barth claims is “the sweet spot for contemporary cameras”. While modern mirrorless cameras like theSony A7 IVhave moved onto a 33MP resolution, and even APS-C models like theFujifilmX-T5 have hit 40MP, 24.5MP is still certainly enough resolution for most.

Another modern feature, and one that’s still strangely rare on thebest mirrorless cameras, is built-in storage. The Max will be available in a 32GB version (which can store around 840 DNGs or 1,700 JPEGs) or a 128GB model (3,350 DNGs or 6,800 JPEGs).

You’ll be able to pre-order the Pixii Max in black or space grey from July 5, with the 32GB model costing £3,385 (about $4,320 / AU$6,430) and the 128GB going for £3,596 (about $4,595 / AU$6,830). Shipping is expected to start in September.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

Cameras become fun and weird again

The rise of smartphones pushed cameras off a cliff in terms of sales and originality, but they’ve found a new lease of life as demand for a more tactile shooting experience grows – and the Pixii Max could well capitalize.

Ever since the original Pixii Camera landed in 2019 there have been calls for a full-frame version, and the French startup has now delivered. It’s also confirmed that it’s still committed to the APS-C Pixii Plus, with the Max sitting alongside that camera.

The Max certainly isn’t for everyone, but that’s the point. A camera with no rear screen, electronic viewfinder, or autofocus is aimed at photography purists, but there are also some refreshingly modern touches, like the internal storage and minimalist design.

The recent popularity of theFujifilm X100VIis a good omen for compact rangefinder cameras, and the Pixii Max has the left-field appeal to make it one of this year’s most intriguing new cameras. We’re looking forward to taking one for a spin before it starts shipping later this year.

You might also like…

Mark is TechRadar’s Senior news editor. Having worked in tech journalism for a ludicrous 17 years, Mark is now attempting to break the world record for the number of camera bags hoarded by one person. He was previously Cameras Editor at both TechRadar and Trusted Reviews, Acting editor on Stuff.tv, as well as Features editor and Reviews editor on Stuff magazine. As a freelancer, he’s contributed to titles including The Sunday Times, FourFourTwo and Arena. And in a former life, he also won The Daily Telegraph’s Young Sportswriter of the Year. But that was before he discovered the strange joys of getting up at 4am for a photo shoot in London’s Square Mile.

GoPro Max 2 hit by further delays – 2025 is the earliest we’ll see the 360-degree action cam

Looking for a Fujifilm X100VI alternative? Its biggest rival could get a successor soon

Huge Black Friday Samsung sale: save up to $1,900 on QLED, OLED TVs, and more