Canon develops angle-aware image stabilizer
updated 08:45 am EDT, Wed July 22, 2009
Canon Hybrid IS
Canon on Wednesday revealed a new type of image stabilization that it hopes will produce even cleaner images for still photography. Nicknamed Hybrid IS, it would include typical shift IS to compensate for vertical and lateral shake but will also have an angular velocity sensor to catch unintended tilt. The change should reduce the amount of blur both in medium- to long-range shooting, where conventional IS works best, as well as in historically difficult macro photography.
A new algorithm is key to Hybrid IS and would blend the two approaches when necessary.
Canon fully intends to put the technology into production and is hoping for early use of Hybrid IS in a "wide range" of cameras. It particularly hopes to introduce the technology into SLR lenses, where the long zooms, weight and need for image quality particularly merit better stabilization hardware.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
trickle down
Hopefully, if this IS turns out to be good and makes it into their devices DSLRs, it would be great if the technology would subsequently trickle down into their VIXIA camcorders. While the devices are generally best in class with respect image quality, features and price, IS often tends to be deficient on Canons compared to the competition.