Canon Unveils New Hybrid Image Stabilizer

Canon has developed an optical image-stabilization technology for upcoming DSLR lenses that will compensate for both angle camera shake and shift camera shake. The new Hybrid Image Stabilizer (IS) technology will be commercially available in interchangeable SLR camera lenses planned for release before the end of this year.

Changes in the camera’s angle while the shutter is open can significantly alter captured images. Shift-based shaking generally occurs when a camera moves parallel to the imagining scene and is most pronounced in macro photography and other close-range shooting.

Hybrid IS uses several methods and corrective procedures to help compensate for camera shake. An angular velocity sensor detects the extent of angle-based shaking. This sensor is found in all previous optical image stabilizer mechanisms as well as in a new acceleration sensor. This new sensor also has the ability to determine the amount of shift-based camera shake. Hybrid IS also uses a new algorithm that takes information from both sensors in order to make optimal adjustments and enhance the effects of image stabilization during shooting.

Canon plans to incorporate this new technology into a wide range of its lenses.