camcorder stabilisers

Gisela Richter · Post by **Gisela Richter** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:17 pm

We know that digital zoom is useless and that it is better to turn it off, but does this also apply to digital stabilisers? Should we turn it off too? An optical stabiliser is worth its weight in gold if you are lucky enough to have one, but what use is a digital stabilser?

weaver · Post by **weaver** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:04 pm

In many cases the digital stabilizer performs much more better than the optical stabilizer of the same (price) category.
I am very satisfied with the digital image stabilizers in both of my cameras.

skier-hughes · Post by **skier-hughes** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:07 pm

I'd disagree with the above statement. Optical is superior.
Digital stabilisers will take away some of your resolution as it is used to give you your stabilisation.
Don't use any stabilisation when your cam is on a tripod.
Use it when hand held.
Is often the best advice.

weaver · Post by **weaver** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:15 pm

Hi you are right, the optical stabilizer is better if it is well made (do not expect this from the domestic cameras).
The digital stabilizer takes away some resulution if your camera is from the cheapest version (with pixels less than 1 MP).
In new cameras, over 1-2 MP CCD (CMOS resolution) the stabilizer does not reduces significantly the resolution. (we work with 6-7 cameras - high end domestic HD ones - to the industrial cameras, and there is no significant difference in picture quality).

Only the external lenses with opt. stabilizer could offer better picture quality.
Of course you are right, if there is no need for stabilisation we switch them off.