Video Image Stabilization?

Hi everyone,

While I super enjoying my X-T20 for still, I'm not enjoying it so much for Video. I'm shooting at Auto, 1080p, at 30FPS, and everything if not using a tripod, looks very shaky. My phone seems to have a better image stabilization, and it makes me wonder why. Is it just X-T20 being a bit out-dated? or is a OIS is a LENS feature rather then body?

Thanks!

Zoba132 wrote:

Hi everyone,

While I super enjoying my X-T20 for still, I'm not enjoying it so much for Video. I'm shooting at Auto, 1080p, at 30FPS, and everything if not using a tripod, looks very shaky. My phone seems to have a better image stabilization, and it makes me wonder why. Is it just X-T20 being a bit out-dated? or is a OIS is a LENS feature rather then body?

Thanks!

To my knowledge, the X-T20 does not support IBIS (in-body image stabilization) as a feature.  That means, when using that particular camera, you would need to use lenses with OIS (optical image stabilization) or switch to a different camera that supports IBIS if you need that feature.  So, to answer your questions, stabilization can be an in-body capability in certain models, or if not present, can be provided by the lens.  In cases where you use a camera that supports IBIS and also have an OIS lens mounted, the two will work together to provide optimal stabilization.

Bottom line: either limit your video usage to lenses with OIS or switch to a camera with IBIS, and all lenses will benefit from the in-body stabilization.

Thank you. the only OIS lens I got are the stock lens: XC 16-50 mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS. And it isn't amazing. That because OIS perform better on the higher ends? or OIS is OIS and if I want better OIS I should get an upgrade to body with build-in OIS?

Zoba132 wrote:

Thank you. the only OIS lens I got are the stock lens: XC 16-50 mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS. And it isn't amazing. That because OIS perform better on the higher ends? or OIS is OIS and if I want better OIS I should get an upgrade to body with build-in OIS?

If you find yourself shooting a lot in situations with challenging lighting, you might well find IBIS to be a very useful feature.  It was one of the major things that got me interested in the X-H1, and more recently, it’s replacement, the X-H2S.  The obvious advantage of IBIS is the fact that it will provide stabilization for any lens, with or without OIS.  In my case, I really wanted to have the optical and aperture advantages of the 16-55 over the 18-55 I used previously, but I didn’t want to have to give up stabilization.  IBIS was the obvious solution to that and I’ve found it to be very effective in situations where lighting is challenging and the use of a tripod might be less than convenient.  If you happen to be using a lens with OIS on a camera that also supports IBIS, the two are supposed to work together to provide more optimal stabilization.

Bottom line: if you value stabilization and shoot a lot in situations where it might more readily enable hand held photography (rather than requiring a tripod), then the feature can end up being pretty valuable.  If the sort of photography you do tends to require a tripod anyway, then the benefit might be a bit less obvious.

I guess It only bothering me when taking videos. Every small movement with the Camera feels very shaky. And that's with OIS lens. For photography, I'm mostly fine.

It's kinda amazing that's flagship products (X-Tx series) didn't have IBIS up until X-T4, and it seems like people still find X-T4 to be quite jerky. You have decent IBIS on smart-phone for a while now, and you can get a very good videos stabilization on very cheap modules.

It always feels like Camera's body are ages away in terms of technology from Smartphones. Like, HDR support (not like bracketing, but in real-time like phones do). Or stuff like that.

I that case, I guess I will be sticking using my phone for taking pictures of the toodlers running around

Thank you!

As Jerry pointed out, the X-T20 itself has no stabilization at all. So you need to rely on OIS only.

With a body that has IBIS, you can use both IBIS and OIS plus digital stabilization.

I personally am quite happy with my X-T4's video capabilities. Yes there is sometimes a wobble due to stabilization in the wide angle area.

If you want perfect stabilization, you may want to go for a gimbal.

Regards,

Martin

So one advantage to the smaller bodies and lenses is you can use a much smaller tripod. I have a 1k gorilla pod, meaning it can handle 1 kg of weight. It's super light and you can get a head that allows horizontal panning.

Also with the smaller bodies you can get a grip with an L bracket and the weight is still not that bad. This is also good for low light photography when you need longer shutter speeds.

The other thing is make sure you have a good bit rate. In my non-pro experience, 1080p with a higher bit rate has often looked nicer than downscaled 4k with a lower bit rate.

Miller_bike wrote:

..

Phones and action cams do deliver better stabilization but they have smaller sensors and I think the computational load is less. Probably also their stabilization can be tuned for a specific fixed lens instead of being expected to cope with a range of focal lengths.

Similar thoughts. Plus, a lot is done by state of the art software with a lot of development resource investment behind.

Regards,

Martin

Rightsaidfred wrote:

If you want perfect stabilization, you may want to go for a gimbal.

Regards,

Martin

are those small one hand gimbals are good enough or you really need a big gimbal to see a different?

vcxz wrote:

So one advantage to the smaller bodies and lenses is you can use a much smaller tripod. I have a 1k gorilla pod, meaning it can handle 1 kg of weight. It's super light and you can get a head that allows horizontal panning.

Also with the smaller bodies you can get a grip with an L bracket and the weight is still not that bad. This is also good for low light photography when you need longer shutter speeds.

The other thing is make sure you have a good bit rate. In my non-pro experience, 1080p with a higher bit rate has often looked nicer than downscaled 4k with a lower bit rate.

The problem with any kind of tripod, is toddlers

They move a lot, not specifically in a straight line. I want to be able to run after them, move a lot, etc.

I didn't notice my X-T20 let you change bit-rate, will check again. What would be a good bitrate to follow?

4K kinda overheat the X-T20, so I rarely use it anyhow.

Rightsaidfred wrote:

Miller_bike wrote:

..

Phones and action cams do deliver better stabilization but they have smaller sensors and I think the computational load is less. Probably also their stabilization can be tuned for a specific fixed lens instead of being expected to cope with a range of focal lengths.

Similar thoughts. Plus, a lot is done by state of the art software with a lot of development resource investment behind.

Yea. That's the gap I was talking about. There's a lot done on the software side. I'm not sure if this is just Fuji, or other brands, but we have super strong technology in our pockets now days, and it feels like phone vendors constantly push to make it better, as this is the selling point for new phones (better camera).

I can share my photos instantly, and easily with my phone. And using the Fujifilm app, this is such a slow an manual process.

I would really like camera vendors going on par on some of the phone features, especially as the hardware is super cheap those days. I think camera vendors already losing the low-range/casual market to phone devices, as those get constantly better and intuitive.

Zoba132 wrote:

Rightsaidfred wrote:

Miller_bike wrote:

..

Phones and action cams do deliver better stabilization but they have smaller sensors and I think the computational load is less. Probably also their stabilization can be tuned for a specific fixed lens instead of being expected to cope with a range of focal lengths.

Similar thoughts. Plus, a lot is done by state of the art software with a lot of development resource investment behind.

Yea. That's the gap I was talking about. There's a lot done on the software side. I'm not sure if this is just Fuji, or other brands, but we have super strong technology in our pockets now days, and it feels like phone vendors constantly push to make it better, as this is the selling point for new phones (better camera).

I can share my photos instantly, and easily with my phone. And using the Fujifilm app, this is such a slow an manual process.

I would really like camera vendors going on par on some of the phone features, especially as the hardware is super cheap those days. I think camera vendors already losing the low-range/casual market to phone devices, as those get constantly better and intuitive.

Of course.

Development power for cameras is of course not anywhere close to that of the big smartphone manufacturers.

On the other hand, you see the desire for classic dials, vintage, the fascination in our Fujifilm community. There is a market for us

We will see how it all develops.

Musicians also still exist, although virtual musicians could maybe perform "better." But what is better? Not too far in the future, virtual machines could live their own lifes... Oh I better stop here

Cheers,

Martin

Zoba132 wrote:

Rightsaidfred wrote:

If you want perfect stabilization, you may want to go for a gimbal.

Regards,

Martin

are those small one hand gimbals are good enough or you really need a big gimbal to see a different?

Others please step in. I have never owned a gimbal. Family movies only.

Btw, here's my baseline for X-T4 and similar model movie recording, https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/66779528

Cheers,

Martin

What you could think of as an alternative is a fluid head. Such heads are available at relatively affordable prices. Disadvantage is of course that you need a tripod.

I have a cheaper one (about 60 €) and am very happy. Of course I switch stabilization off when using it.

Regards,

Martin

Awesome guide. Learned a lot, thanks!

Rightsaidfred wrote:

Zoba132 wrote:

Rightsaidfred wrote:

If you want perfect stabilization, you may want to go for a gimbal.

Regards,

Martin

are those small one hand gimbals are good enough or you really need a big gimbal to see a different?

Others please step in. I have never owned a gimbal. Family movies only.

Btw, here's my baseline for X-T4 and similar model movie recording, https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/66779528

Cheers,

Martin

That's a nice write up. I rented the Ronin RSC 2 to use with my X-H1. I was impressed by how well it worked. There's a learning curve on how to get the smoothest footage using it.

I've been using 16mm movie cameras since the 1960's and some tricks I picked up along the way helped. I can actually shoot steady footage with the H1 as long as they are camera static shots. Gimbals really help when the camera is moving.