Image Stabilisers

  • For long exposure times (eg twilight) 
  • Under low light conditions (eg night photography)
  • When shooting long focal point

Mechanical Stabilisers

Mechanical stabilisers are located in the sensor inside the camera body. The device eliminates vibration by moving the image sensor.

Advantages and disadvantages include:

  • Stabilised image in the viewfinder
  • It's not necessary to use a stabilised lens
  • Not as good quality as stabilised lenses

Optical Stabilisers

Optical stabilisers are located in the lens. The effect of camera shake on the resulting image is minimised by the lens shifting and the consequent impact on the stabilised image sensor.

Advantages and disadvantages include:

  • It can stabilise circular motion of the camera
  • Stabilises better than a mechanical stabiliser
  • More expensive


The ideal solution for sharp images is to use a combination of image stabilisation and high sensitivity (ISO), flash, tripod or light lens depending on the environmental conditions as well as financial limitations.

Digital Cameras

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