Image Stabilization, also known as vibration reduction and anti-shake, is a technology that helps prevent digital photos from becoming blurred. It reduces camera shake caused by hand movement, slow shutter speeds or when using a long telephoto lens without a tripod.

Click to see value of Optical Image Stabilization. Images were resized but not sharpened.

Image Stabilization (IS) is often found in consumer digital cameras with long telephoto zoom lenses. However it is available on an increasing number of cameras with short focal lengths. IS is also found in the bodies of some digital single lens reflex camera bodies and interchangeable lens.

Image Stabilization helps a photographer take hand held shots about two stops slower than without it. It is important to point out that IS does not prevent blur if a subject itself is moving. However, Fujifilm recently introduced Triple Image Stabilization that is claimed to all reduce blur caused by moving subjects (see below). Other manufacturer’s will no doubt follow suit.

Some digital camera users report getting sharper images with Image Stabilization turned off. This assumes, of course, that the shutter speed is fast enough to prevent camera shake.

Image stabilization and tripods

The general consensus among digital camera users is to shut off Image Stabilization when using a tripod or other camera support. Some camera manuals recommend doing so.

In actual practice, results and preferences vary. Take test photos with and without IS enabled to find what works best with your camera.

Types of digital camera Image Stabilization

Optical IS

Optical Image Stabilization is hardware based. Digital cameras with optical IS typically have a built-in gyro sensor and microprocessor that detects camera shake as it occurs. The stabilizer compensates for any camera movement.

There are three main types of Optical Image Stabilization modes, though not every compact digital camera with IS has all three: Continuous, Shoot Only and/or Panning.

Digital IS

Some compact cameras have Digital Image Stabilization only, which simply boosts camera sensitivity (ISO) to obtain a faster shutter speeds to help prevent blur. No hardware is involved.

But increasing ISO causes image quality to degrade to varying degrees because of “noise,” similar to grain in photos taken with high ISO film.

Noise in digital images taken by compact digital camera looks like colored specks and blotches. It can be seen throughout an image but usually is most prevalent in darker areas of a photos. Digital cameras have in-camera processing that attempt to decrease noise, however effectiveness varies.

Ask before buying

Optical image stabilization is preferable to digital IS, so ask about the type before buying a digital camera. Words can be misleading, so don’t get take for granted that a camera has hardware-based Optical Image Stabilization.

Fancy terms such as Anti-blur Technology, Anti-shake Function and Image Stabilization Mode may simply mean that a camera increases the ISO to help prevent blurred images.

Dual Image Stabilization

Dual Image Stabilization simply combines Optical Image Stabilization and an increase to ISO.  If you’re buying a digital camera that has Dual Image Stabilization, look for one that provides the option to manually control ISO.

Triple Image Stabilization

Fujifilm recently introduced Triple Image Stabilization in some of their digital camera. According to Fujifilm, Triple Image Stabilization “combines a mechanically stabilized CMOS sensor with high ISO sensitivities and advanced multi-frame digital stabilization for total anti-blur protection.”  The company says that these combined technologies will reduce the blurring effect of both camera shake and subject movement to provide sharp images even at the longest zoom settings or in challenging lighting conditions.

DSLR Image Stabilization

There are two Image Stabilization systems for digital single lens reflex cameras: IS built into the camera or IS built into interchangeable lenses. The debate goes on among photographers about which type of DSLR Image Stabilization is best and most cost effective.

There is little debate, however, about the overall benefits of using Image Stabilization.