Optical image stabilization helps produce clear, blur-free images by reducing the effects of camera shake when hand-holding a digital camera.

There are three Image Stabilization modes, though the majority of image stabilized compact digital cameras have two.

Continuous Image Stabilization

When a digital camera is set to Continuous Image Stabilization mode, IS is always on. It keeps an image stable when viewing it on an electronic viewfinder or LCD. It’s ability to reduce camera shake can be slightly less effective than using Shoot Only mode. But since Continuous IS stabilizes viewing, composing is often easier.

Continuous IS is effective for shooting video and is usually enabled by default when switching to movie mode.

Continuous IS is also helpful when hand-holding a camera to frame a long telephoto shot. It is especially effective when using taking telephoto shots with a digital zoom where the slightest camera movement is magnified when viewing a scene. Continuous IS works best in good light.

Shoot-only Image Stabilization

Both photos were taken hand-held at 1/25th second. Shoot-only Image Stabilization turned on for photo on the right. Click for larger view.

Digital cameras with Image Stabilization are usually set by the manufacturer to Continuous IS mode, but many photographers change the setting to Shoot Only IS mode.

Shoot Only IS mode offers the greatest degree of stabilization. It is activated the moment the shutter button is pressed. Because Image Stabilization is enabled only when the shutter button is pressed, Shoot Only mode generally produces sharper photos than Continuous mode.

Panning Image Stabilization

Moving a camera in the same direction as a moving subject is called panning. The technique produces images with the subject in sharp focus and the background blurred.

Panning IS mode only makes adjustments for vertical movement and is activated, automatically on some models, when the camera shakes up and down.

Tip: A manufacture may recommed that Image Stabilization be turned off when using a tripod or other camera support.