Image Stabilization

Why is image stabilization important? In this article, you will learn about the importance and use of image stabilization in the photography world. Just think that you are up to taking some phenomenal shots from your camera, but your pictures appear blurry due to the shakiness of your hand. Features like image stabilization were introduced to avoid blurry and messy snaps.

What is image stabilization in photography?

Image stabilization (IS) is used by photographers to fight with blur images, handshaking, or moving while filming. It allows photographers to use their cameras without a tripod or to shoot in dim light. Depending on the camera feature or lens, image stabilization allows you to capture sharp and still images at a shutter speed that is five times lower than shooting without IS.

Image stabilization techniques

The following are the most popular image stabilization techniques in the photography world:

Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)

Optical image stabilization works on primary problems. Like, blur photos are generally caused by the user or the camera movements. It has made the life of photographers much more trouble-free, and the chance of getting blurry images, the fatigue of capturing those pictures again, is not a challenging thing anymore!

We use optical image stabilization for limited movement of the camera, and it has nothing to do with motion blur. However, this is potentially expensive and massive in size.

Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS)

Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS)Β functions in the same way as OIS does but without any involvement of physical hardware. Your smartphone’s accelerometer detects small movements. Moreover, the camera software detects those movements and aligns them together. All changes are made directly from the software. EIS is used for video purposes!

In-lens Stabilization (IS)

In-lens-based IS an electromagnet and a floating lens are used by moving orthogonally to the optical axis of the lens. To detect the vibration of the device, we use gyroscopic sensors. For the longer-length lenses, in-lens stabilization gives smooth performance and output.

Importance of Image Stabilization

Image stabilization benefits in much smaller but unique ways in the field of photography. Image stabilization has made this easier for cameras to shoot at a slower shutter speed and create a crispier low-light image. The reciprocal rule suggests that a 100mm lens must not be shot lower than a shutter speed of 1/100 second, but thanks to this stabilization feature, the shutter speed can be pushed even lower.

The following are the different stabilization terms for camera manufacturers:

  • Olympus -Β IS (image stabilization)
  • Sigma -Β IS (image stabilizer)
  • Sony -Β O.S.S (optical steady shot)
  • Canon -Β IS (image stabilization)

The image stabilization feature is worth spending your extra money on. If you are shooting indoors or outdoors, image stabilization will transform your photos or videos.

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