• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

How important is image stabilization?

G

Gutspiller

Gawd
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Messages
576
I'm thinking of getting the Canon SD900 because of its small size and ability to take 10MP shots, but it lacks image stabilization. Is this something I should be worried about? I really don't want a bulky camera and the smaller Canon Elph cameras If I went with image stabilization, I'd have to sacrifice the megapixels and get the SD800 IS (7.1Megapixels) or the SD850 IS (8Megapixels) when it's released in June.

Any recommendations?
 
Image stabilization is useful for times when the shutter speed is too slow to handhold.
A common rule of thumb is that your shutter speed should be the inverse of the focal length you are shooting at.

For example, if you are taking a picture at 50mm, your shutter speed should be at least
1/50 second in order for your pictures to be blur-free. On digital cameras that use a sensor smaller than 35mm, you have to figure in the crop factor. Canon amateur and prosumer cameras have a 1.6x crop factor, so a picture taken at 50mm will actuall look like it was taken at 80mm. In that case, you must use a shutter speed of at least 1/80s.

Yeah, sorry about the long-winded explantion.

The most common use of IS is for people who take photograps with telephoto lenses. While it is relatively easy to take a wide angle picture with low shutter speeds, increased focal length magnifies any movement, and if it's windy or your heart is beating fast or you breathe funny, this will show up in your image if the shutter speed isn't fast enough.

Optical IS (like what is used on the Canon cameras) works by shifting either the lens elements or the sensor itself to cancel out any movement it is sensing. Beware, some cameras say they have "image stabilization," but in reality, it's just a gimmick. Instead of physically shifting the lens elements or sensor, these cameras merely boost the ISO to levels where you can get a faster shutter speed. This leads to increased noise and grainy pictures. Stay away from these.

Anyways, IS is really only useful if you plan to take pictures in low light, or at longer focal lengths. Also, it does not work too well for subjecst that are moving, like say, your friends at a nightclub; their movement will cancel out any benefit the image stabilization provides.

Cliffs:
Image stabilization is useful for low light shots of non-moving subjects and of subjects very far away.
 
IS will help you take pictures of stationary objects in low light.

With this type of camera, the megapixel count really doesn't matter. If you're willing to pay more for the IS and don't mind the extra weight, go for it and forget about the 2 megapixels.
 
Image stablization is less important if the camera is really capable of high ISO without tons of noise.

If it isn't - then image stabilization is very important.

I'd rather have image stabilization that super high megapixels.
 
Megapixels doesn't really matter especially for a P&S nowadays. The lens and sensors can't make any use of those megapixels. I would rather have image stabilization in such a Canon P&S camera. It'll help you get clearer pics. I think IS is great. Most people don't know what they're missing. :D
 
Well... here's the specs on the SD900 http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=14220

Its iso specs read as:

Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 (Standard Output Sensitivity/Recommended Exposure Index)

I guess if IS outweighs megapixels in peoples mind though, then I could wait for the 850 IS to come out in June. Does anybody know about the soft corners or "rolling colors" on images that have IS turned on? I read about it that a few people were reporting of such a thing, but I've never had any decent digital camera so I'd have no idea.
 
IS can be like having a tripod handy. However, it's only good for maybe 1-3 stops depending on the camera - basically, what you would normally need 1/250th to shoot hand held, you could do with 1/60th using IS. However, this will in no way help you with moving subjects.
 
Most compacts are pretty useless at ISOs over 200; some even lower.

Pretty much don't plan on using the camera in low light unless you have a tripod and a stationary subject.

IS is nice because when you're really at the end of your lens and your shutter isn't fast enough it can help save the shot.
 
do you shake when your scared?

is is excellent if you cant hold still or steady a camera. and 90% of shots are done in the daylight where its not neccasary
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top