House Plans: Southeastern Camera

Southeastern Camera

As opposed to digital zoom, digital image stabilization (IS) is less marketing ploy than a useful feature. Lenses with optical IS are equipped with internal elements that move in the opposite direction to any small movements you make, steadying the image that arrives onto the sensor. Nikon’s Vibration Reduction, demonstrated above, is particularly effective, allowing you to shoot at two or three steps slower shutter speed than you usually would be able to without motion blur. For example, if 1/40 shutter speed is your floor before you start seeing blurring on a regular lens, its VR version will move that down to 1/25. Canon’s version of this is called Optical Image Stabilizer, Panasonic’s is MegaOIS, and virtually every other camera and lens maker has a variety too.

Sony and Olympus have made a habit of building image stabilization right into the body of their DSLRs, simplifying lens design and reassuring users that all of their lenses will be stabilized. Ultimately, whichever system you choose, they all serve the purpose of reducing the deleterious effects of unintended motion and should be considered highly desirable in a camera purchase. If you’re going after a shooter with a long telephoto zoom, optical IS should be the first thing you look for.