Home > Digital Camera Blogs > Gimmicks > Image stabilization: NOT!
Panasonic FZ50
12X Image Stabilized Zoom
Canon A710-IS
6X Image Stabilized Zoom
Misleading image stabilization terms
There are many digital camera features I find quite useful. But there is one that is a must have for me: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).
Image stabilization increases the stability of a camera lens so images that might otherwise be blurred due to camera shake are not. IS does not prevent blur due to a moving subject (a fast shutter speed will do that), but it does help prevent image bur when shooting at slow shutter speeds or using a long telephoto lens.
Is image stabilization perfect? Nothing is! But IS is remarkably effective.
OIS, which is hardware based, is certainly not a new technology. It is, however, a relatively new feature found on some digital cameras.
As more consumers discover the benefits of IS and want it, more digital camera manufacturer's are jumping on the IS bandwagon. And this is a good thing, right?
Well, yes and no.
Misleading image stabilization terms
Anything that helps prevent blurred images is welcome. What is not welcome is when manufacturers use terms that mislead consumers.
Terms such as nnti-blur technology, anti-shake function and image stabilization mode may simply mean that a camera increases the ISO (and therefore shutter speed) to help prevent blurred images. These types of digital IS doe not actually stabilize the lens.
Phil Askey of dpreview recently opined at his site:
"However one thing which has become annoying is the increasing use of the label 'image stabilization' or 'anti-shake' to describe nothing more than a (noisy) high sensitivity mode."
"Some manufacturers prefix with 'digital', however to the average consumer this isn't enough to correct what is a misleading and confusing description."
Hats off to Mr. Askey! I encourage you to the read of the full text of his comments.
If want a digital camera with OIS, make sure you get exactly what you're asking for before plunking down your hard earned money.
Category: Gimmicks
