My last post about this camera was written with the intent to provide an overall reaction to the HD camcorder. This article focuses on a deeper aspect of the camera: Optical Image Stabilization
Click here to view all the sample videos.

OIS is an incredible technology that was first implemented by Canon not too long ago. Instead of a digital stabilization solution that uses more sensor real estate to establish a buffer of border pixels, Canon's OIS system uses a floating lens element that is manipulated by precise electro-magnets to provide an orthogonal (perpendicular vectors or 2-D) range of movement correction. Combined with two gyroscopic sensor, these parts result in incredible pitch and yaw image stabilization without sacrificing one pixel on the CMOS image sensor. Rotation around the z-axis is not considered in these systems, and for the most part, is not really needed.

The effects are most noticeably present when fully zoomed in on a subject, as the slightest movement is also magnified at the same factor of the optical zoom level. For example, a fraction of an inch movement at a 1x magnification factor results in the same amount of movement in the image. However, the same movement at a 12x magnification will result in a movement twelve times as large!

This sample video demonstrates the difference Optical Image Stabilization in hand-held shooting makes. The first half of the video uses zoom and freehand movement with OIS enabled. The second half mimics the first half exactly, except without OIS enabled:

Amazing, isn't it? For home video producers, this is an absolute must-have feature, in my opinion.

Perhaps the only time one should not use an IS solution is when shooting from a tripod or solid, non-moving position. However, the newer Canon cameras have built-in vibration sensors to detect such situations and will automatically account for this. It should also be noted that OIS solutions do drain the battery faster, but in most situations the benefit is worth the extra juice.