ABOVE: Image stabilizer unit in the Canon EF 70-200mm lens
One of the major causes of poor image quality is camera shake. If you move the camera during the exposure, the image is likely to be blurred.
In 1995 Canon introduced the world’s first image stabilizer lens for a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. The technology uses tiny gyro motors which sense the slightest movement of the lens. This data is fed to a mini computer which controls the movement of a special element (or group of elements) in the lens. This element moves in response to lens and camera movement to keep the image stationary.
Canon lenses can have up to three IS modes, operated via a switch on the side of the lens.
- Mode 1 is for stationary subjects
- Mode 2 is for panning
- Mode 3 disables the appearance of the IS working through the viewfinder, only applying it to the actual shot.
Find out more about Canon’s optical image stabilisation
In 2020, Canon launched its first EOS cameras to feature in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) – The EOS R5 and EOS R6 full frame mirrorless cameras. The IBIS system works in conjunction with optical IS to provide additional benefit. This is achieved by a feedback loop, where the camera and lens communicate with each other, and the camera moves the sensor within the image circle in response to what is detected.
When these cameras are used with certain lenses, up to 8 stops benefit can be achieved.
How IBIS works
Using image stabilisation means that you can use a shutter speed that is several stops faster than you would normally use when handholding (see handholding rule). However, image stabilisation can only help with static subjects: when freezing action the shutter speed must still be fast enough to prevent any subject movement in the final image.
