My name is Diego Souto, and I’m a Sony European Imaging Ambassador from Spain and a sports photographer with a career spanning over two decades. It all started when I discovered my love for photography in college, where I learned the technical aspects of the craft. My drive for sports photography was ignited when I began capturing moments on the field during college sports events. I then joined one of Spain's top newspapers, Diario Marca, and embarked on my professional journey. I've had the incredible opportunity to cover a wide range of sports, including soccer, tennis, golf, and even the Olympic Games for the Spanish Olympic Committee.

I recently had the privilege to test the new Sony Alpha 9 III, and I must say it's simply mind-blowing what this camera can do. I always thought that 30fps on my current Alpha 1 was perfect for the kind of fast-action sports photography that I love. But all of a sudden, I have a camera that shoots at 4 times that - all with full autofocus. In real terms, that means I can capture the absolute pinnacle of the action; I'm getting these extra frames that can make all the difference when I'm looking for a defining moment to capture.

Another feature that really stood out me is the camera's exceptional low-light performance, which is crucial for indoor sports and evening events. Even pushing the ISO to 16,000 gave me clean, crisp images with lots of detail. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have even thought that kind of setting was possible.

I can consistently deliver high-quality shots regardless of the lighting conditions, and the camera's ergonomics and build quality make it comfortable to use during long shooting sessions.

I’ve always been super happy with the speed and accuracy of the Sony autofocus system, and with every new camera, it seems to have gotten better and better. But the Alpha 9 III is seriously second level. I was taking bursts of 150, 200 shots and every single one was tack sharp, even in poor light.

In a field as competitive as sports photography, having a camera that excels not only in autofocus, but also speed, and low-light performance can be what makes the difference, enabling photographers to elevate their work and provide audiences with a more immersive experience.

During this initial test I used a range of Sony lenses and accessories – specifically the Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS, FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II and the FE 50mm f/1.2 GM lenses alongside the Sony HVL-F60RM2 flash.

The choice of focal lengths for these lenses was strategic. The 400mm lens allowed me to capture distant action with exceptional clarity, ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects on the field. On the other hand, the 70-200mm provided versatility, enabling me to frame shots creatively and adapt to changing situations.

A massive advantage of the global shutter is that there is no limit to the top shutter speed that a flash can sync with. I wanted to capture the skateboarder in mid-action, but also wanted to keep the drama of the dark sky and sunset behind. I shot a series of images and kept reducing the shutter speed until I got the look I wanted - finally settling on 1/16,000s.

For aspiring photographers, this camera is a superb tool to help them hone their skills and achieve success in sports photography. It simplifies the process of capturing stunning moments, making it more accessible to a new generation of talent.