Assessment of Sony A9 III: A Comprehensive Analysis

Assessment of Sony A9 III: A Comprehensive Analysis

Sony's new beast, the A9 III, ushers in a fresh wave of underwater photography magic!

Are you ready to dive into an unparalleled underwater photography experience? The Sony A9 III is your ticket right now. Imagine capturing stunning, crystal-clear images with strobes at shutter speeds up to 1/80,000! But, be prepared to part with a cool $6k for this bad boy.

Wondering if it's worth the splash? If you crave total control over your underwater lighting, it's a fin-tastic investment. To put the A9 III's global shutter to the test, let's dive into the dark abyss and the midday sun, where this baby truly shines.

To protect the little tyke, we've decked it out in the Ikelite A9 III housing, with other Sony A9 III underwater housings on their way soon. Keen to grab one for yourself? Head over to Bluewater Photo and make it yours!

View All Sony A9 III Underwater Housings

Order an Ikelite A9 III Housing

Order a Marelux A9 III Housing

Order a Nauticam A9 III Housing

Order a Aquatica A9 III Housing

Read Bluewater's Top Underwater Settings for the Sony A9 III

Let's dive in deeper!

Sony A9 III: A Quick Scoop

Stacked full-frame CMOS sensor, global shutter, 1/80000 max shutter speed, 120 autofocus calculations per second, 120 fps 14-bit RAW burst shooting, native ISO of 250, 4K/120p recording, 4K/60p recording oversampled from 6K, Electronic Shutter Only, 8 stops of in-body image-stabilization, weighs in at 617 grams, and measures 136.1 x 96.9 x 72.8mm.

Marketing Jargon Demystified

"Global shutter" might make you think of sleek advertising gimmicks, but it's the real deal here. It means each pixel captures image data simultaneously, killing rolling shutter distortion, limiting flash sync speeds, and noise. The a9 III bids a tearful goodbye to rolling shutter, offering a fresh perspective on underwater photography.

A Bolting Breakthrough

With jaw-dropping improvements to camera processing power, the a9 III's global shutter unlocks a whole new world in underwater photography. It essentially eliminates the limits imposed by flash sync speeds, allowing underwater photographers to take control of ambient light, snap sunballs with ease, and capture quick subjects like sharks without a blur. Even at maximum burst speeds of 120 frames per second, the sensor ensures unparalleled responsiveness. It's a massive leap forward for anyone dreaming of freezing fast-moving underwater action.

TTL Tickles

While testing the Sony a9 III, we stumbled upon an interesting limitation. Although it seems the sync speed is unlimited, once you attach a TTL converter or TTL flash trigger, the camera drops its speed to 1/500. Despite switching the converter to manual mode, the camera still thinks TTL is in play, meaning the only way to snag shutter speeds faster than 1/500 is to go manual with your strobes.

Strobes & TTL: A Match Made in the Deep Blue Sea

If you're shooting with TTL, there's not much reason to go for the a9 III over competitors like the Nikon Z8 or Canon R5. The native ISO for the a9 III is 250, resulting in somewhat limited dynamic range compared to other cameras. While it can't match competitor cameras when using TTL, it does provide remarkable performance when cranking up the shutter speed.

Breaking New Ground in Burst Shooting Speeds

Time to leave the realm of mere mortal cameras—the Sony a9 III can shoot 14-bit RAW photos up to an eye-popping 120 frames per second. But, you'll need a speedy memory card like the Sony Tough CFExpress Type A to unleash this beast's potential. Whether you're snapping baitballs, sharks, dolphins, or jumping dogs, there's no better camera to seal the deal.

Underwater Videography: A Bonus Round

While not marketed for underwater videography, if you're a hybrid shooter, the a9 III packs an impressive punch. Its global shutter banishes rolling shutter distortion, making your videos as smooth as a dolphin's sleek fin. The a9 III can shoot 4K video using the full width of the sensor, or oversample from 6K for extra detail.

Naturally, some log profiles are available for log recording, and we found oversampled footage at 60fps looking fantastic.

Sony A9 III: Trusted Pals in the Underwater World

Currently, the Ikelite and Nauticam housings are your best pals underwater for the Sony A9 III. We expect other underwater housing options in the near future from Marelux and Aquatica, so stay tuned!

Lenses: That Old-Fashioned Thing Called Glass

Best Wide-Angle Lenses

The Canon 8-15mm fisheye lens with the Sigma MC-11 adapter rules the roost for most wide-angle shooters with the Sony a9 III. Autofocus may be slower using the Metabones adapter, but it gets the job done. Sigma's MC-11 adapter can also be used, but it's considerably slower.

For both photo and video, the Sony 16-35mm F4 Lens with an 8-inch dome or larger is a solid option. Wet wide-angle lenses like the Nauticam Wet Wide-Angle Lens or the Kraken KRL-01 Wet Wide-Angle Lens work great paired with the Sony 28mm Prime Lens and a Fisheye Conversion Lens for wider shots of reefscapes.

While the Sony a9 III may not meet every underwater photographer's needs, it offers unparalleled control over lighting in the underwater realm. Its global shutter technology and high-speed flash sync capability help capture stunning, distortion-free images—shaping the future of underwater photography.

Let the awe-inspiring adventures under the sea begin!

1. The Sony A9 III offers a unique opportunity to capture crystal-clear images underwater, with shutter speeds up to 1/80,000 using strobes.
2. If you're ready to take control of your underwater lighting, investing in the Sony A9 III could be a game-changer for your underwater photography.
3. The Sony A9 III's global shutter eliminates rolling shutter distortion, limiting flash sync speeds, and noise, making it a standout choice for underwater photographers.
4. The a9 III offers a fresh perspective on underwater photography with its jaw-dropping improvements to camera processing power and high-speed flash sync capability.
5. Underwater photographers can take control of ambient light, snap sunballs with ease, and capture quick subjects like sharks without a blur, thanks to the Sony A9 III's global shutter.
6. Although the A9 III seems limited with TTL, it provides remarkable performance when cranking up the shutter speed and going manual with strobes.
7. The Sony A9 III can shoot 14-bit RAW photos up to 120 frames per second, requiring a speedy memory card to unleash its full potential.
8. Underwater videographers can also benefit from the Sony a9 III, as its global shutter ensures smooth video with minimal rolling shutter distortion.
9. The Ikelite and Nauticam housings are currently the best friends of the Sony A9 III for underwater photography, with other options like Marelux and Aquatica expected soon.
10. The Sony a9 III's ability to provide unparalleled control over lighting in the underwater realm shaped by its global shutter technology and high-speed flash sync capability is shaping the future of underwater photography.

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