

Even when both electronic and optical systems were available, size or weight constraints meant that neither was suitable for EOS cameras. Image Stabilisation was available for camcorders long before it was introduced in EF lenses. Rather than trying to stop the camera moving, a stabilised lens introduces a compensating movement within it, with the aim of keeping the image static on the camera's sensor.

It approached the problem of camera shake laterally.

The first lens with Image Stabilisation was introduced in 1995. Let's start with lens-based ("optical") IS. There are also many situations where a tripod is just not practical, and several where the use of a tripod is not permitted.įortunately, Canon offers another method of reducing, if not eliminating, the effects of camera shake: Image Stabilisation (IS). However, a tripod is effective only if it is sturdy, which usually means heavy, so you can't always carry one with you. The obvious way to eliminate movement of the camera during the exposure is to fix it to something that will not move, such as a tripod, and to take precautions against jarring it, such as using a remote shutter release. If you're shooting with a fast shutter speed or a wide-angle lens, the blurring may not be significant enough for you to register it – but it will still be there, and it might become noticeable if you make a dramatic crop or a large print of the image. Much of the time, you won't notice the effects of camera shake. The tremble of your hand as you hold the camera, the slight jarring when you press the shutter release – even a tiny movement during the exposure can result in blurring in the image.
