EVENT COVERAGE 2024 | LITTLE CAYMAN
GEAR TESTS: SONY A9 III UNDERWATER CAMERA REVIEW
JIM DECKER
CEO
The Sony a9III camera is the first full frame global shutter camera on the market. It’s a very interesting camera to use because there is no upper limit to shutter speed when using it with a flash. This makes it really easy to control ambient light with flash photography. This came in very handy in Little Cayman with the super clear visibility and extremely bright ambient light conditions that happen in the shallows, in sand, in June – pretty much the worst it can get if you’re trying to eliminate ambient light. With no effective upper limit on the shutter speed when using it with a flash, I had no problem creating pitch black backgrounds when snooting in the daytime and it was a breeze to control ambient light when shooting stingrays in bright sand. This camera can also shoot FAST, and without any practical limitation. I did a stingray sequence with the Hybrid Flash shooting 30fps RAW (stills not video!) and neither dropped a beat (or frame). The video sequence below the photo gallery is a series of that sequence of 731 shots in a row. I didn’t get a ton of time on this camera, but I definitely want to spend some more time with it on my next trip. While it may not have the highest resolution and the base ISO is higher than most cameras, the flexibility to GET the shot is unparalleled.
JAMES EMERY
Media Marketing Manager
I tested out the Sony a9iii as a video rig to see how the new Global Shutter performed. This camera is one of the first full-frame mirrorless cameras to have a global shutter sensor. Unlike traditional rolling shutters that scan the image from top to bottom, causing distortions when capturing fast-moving subjects, a global shutter captures the entire image at once. This feature eliminates the “jello effect” and motion artifacts, ensuring that fast-moving marine life and swift camera movements are recorded accurately and smoothly. The results were impressive.
Normally, I rely on manual focus underwater when shooting video, but the Sony a9iiii’s autofocus surprised me. It flawlessly tracked my subjects, ensuring crisp shots even with fast-moving marine life. Finally, we have an autofocus system for video that we can rely on.
I was pleased with the colors straight out of the camera when using the Keldan 8XR ambient video lights. Even without external lighting at depths of 28 meters (92ft), I achieved an accurate white balance with minimal post-processing needed. This is a huge advantage for underwater videographers.
