The sasanqua camellias have smaller leaves that withstand the sun better. I have seen potted camellias (sasanquas) at a local restaurant that get afternoon summer sun -as bad as that is here!- with minor leaf issues and they still bloom nicely. One caveat, you do have to try and keep the soil as evenly moist as possible. Sasanquas typically bloom sometime in the Fall to early December. Exactly when do they bloom depends on the specific variety.

Japonicas have larger leaves and their leaves will do terribly here and must be confined to dappled sun locations or to morning sun (until 11am-ish) + afternoon/evening shade. Or put shade cloth to provide those two conditions. Japonicas typically bloom from early winter to early/mid Spring. That too varies a lot, based on variety. Some of my japonicas will also stop blooming if they get a shot of cold weather and then they will restart when temps warm up some; that can be several weeks later to as late as 2 months later one time.

I'm in z9a and all my camellias (s & j) that I attempted to grow in sunny locations died quickly. I grow them successfully in shade.

Sasanquas would be my choice in your zone if sunny; or either if in afternoon shade. They do well here and my summer conditions include daily 100+s from July thru September in normal summers. Of course, I am referring to those sasanquas I saw in large pots in afternoon sun at the restaurant. I too put mine in afternoon shade but I find that year 1 is incredibly important. It is hot outside in the summer and their roots have been cut to fit in a plastic pot so I I give them manual waterings as they need more frequent waterings than the rest of the plants that my drip/sprinkler section require. Lord knows how often those sasanquas in the restaurant get watered in the summer in afternoon sun conditions!

Of course, any camellia will accept afternoon shade conditions too. I wonder if the problem you had was not a sun issue but insufficient soil moisture. They also do very well even in mid Florida, where many well known camellia gardens (Harry Leu near Orlando) and camellia nurseries are located (in the Ocala and Orlando areas which are 9b). Of course, I would bet all of those get some relief in the afternoon but my point is that sasanquas should be able to handle it given sufficient moisture and good soil drainage.