Are there any drawbacks to Image Stabilization?

Question: Are there any drawbacks to Image Stabilization!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I think that ALL of Pooky's comments apply to Pentax, or any other camera-based shake reduction system!. It does use more power!. It does cost more!. It does weigh more!. Okay, I understand the point that you don't need to buy a rack full of "IS" or "VR" lenses, but to some degree the 3 factors do still apply to Pentax!.

Any comparison that I've seen seems to show that lens-based image stabilization is somewhat more effective than sensor-based stabilization, giving a stop or two benefit!.

There are now two modes for image stablization to allow for the possibility that the camera is SUPPOSED to be moving, such as if you are shooting from a moving vehicle!. The second mode allows horizontal motion without trying to dampen it out, but steadies the up-and-down motions!.

If you have JUST moved the camera, you should wait a bit (~1 second, it seems) until the image in the viewfinder stabilizes or you will still get a blurry image!. It's usually not a problem, but "VR" is not instantaneous!.

"VR" won't work on Nikon cameras while the pop-up flash is recycling, but that's also an unlikely scenario!.

You need to turn off the "VR" if you are using the camera on a rigid tripod, but if you have not secured the head or are using a monopod, it's okay to leave the "VR" on!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I don't know much about optical stabilization, so can't comment on that!. But the other two types in which I know of is digital stabilization (which works by detecting movement in the recorded image and adjusting it in real time) or motion detection stabilization (which is digital stabalization, but works with motion detectors)!. The latter gives good results and this form of stabalization is used by Sony!. The other (digital stabalization) is not that great as far as stabalizing goes!. It takes care of vibrations, but not shaky hands when used in handycams!. This is used in the Panasonic Lumix range of compact cameras and seriously, it's a gimmick!. Yes, it works to a slight degree, but the only time it's actually been of benefit to me is when I've deliberately forced myself into a situation where I need it for the sole purpose of trying out the IS!.

Anyway, the drawbacks of digital stabalization and IS that uses motion detectors is that the quality of the image is degraded slightly!. In order for the camera to have room to correct, it crops the sensor (effectively using digital zoom) so the excess edges of the sensor can kick in when movement correction is needed!.

As far as I'm aware, I know of no drawbacks for optical IS - both image quality or distortion!. It seems to simply move the internal projection of the image without any interference!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The biggest drawback is that people who have no idea what they are doing expect to never have a blurry shot again!. Most think that you should be able to freeze a race car with a shutter speed of 1/60th of a second because they have IS!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You also need to be considering what you will be shooting!. If your plan is to shoot football games or auto racing, IS will be of limited value!. Fast moving subjects are still going to need a fast lens!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It uses a lot of power!.

It costs more!.

It weighs more!.

But it works--so I can't really complain!.

http://www!.flickr!.com/photos/little_pook!.!.!.

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Well!!!!

(But I did give you a thumb up)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Its not as sharp as using a tripod!. Its not as good as using a tripod!.

http://www!.youtube!.com/watch!?v=pU_eR04An!.!.!. et cetera

aWww@QuestionHome@Com

And it makes it more difficult to make blur by camera shake, unless you turn it off first!. But Pooky's answers are right!. And so is Chris'Www@QuestionHome@Com

It gives optimistic people a false sense of security !!!

Movement blur !? What movement blur !?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Just be sure to turn it off when you're on tripod!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Please note that none of Pooky's comments apply to Pentax!.

ChrisWww@QuestionHome@Com