The Digital Photography Companion

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INFRARED SENSOR

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stabilization, which actually correct the image path while you’re capturing a pic-

ture, digital stabilization attempts to make the picture clearer during the camera’s

processing stage. is method isn’t as viable as OIS and sensor-based stabilization

because resultant image quality can be compromised.

When it comes to counteracting camera shake, optical and sensor stabilizers are

your best options. e advantage of optical stabilization technology is that you can

preview the image in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen, making this method pref-

erable for photographers who want to see the effects of stabilization before snap-

ping a shot.

In terms of dealing with camera shake, both methods are equally effective. If you’re

buying a compact point-and-shoot camera, you can’t go wrong with either. But if

you’re going the DSLR route, there are a few things to consider. First off, because

optical image stabilization takes place within the DSLR’s lens, you will have to buy

a collection of image stabilization lenses that often cost more than their nonsta-

bilized counterparts. With sensor stabilization, you don’t need to invest in any

specialized lenses since the camera’s doing the stabilizing. However, sensor stabili-

zation does become less effective when you use longer telephoto lenses (300mm

and up). If you do a lot ...