Recording Videos… with Shaky Hands

on August 14, 2013
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Picture this – you are at your best friend’s wedding and everything is going awesome – perfect day, perfect couple, perfect reception. As the best friend, you volunteered to take the wedding video. The DJ plays his last song, the bar closes up, and the wedding is over. You can’t wait to go home to make the best wedding video of all time and present it to the lovely couple. You hook up the camcorder to your computer and play the file then find out the video is all blurred and shaky because your hands were trembling from of excitement. It’s a disaster!

 

Recording Videos… with Shaky Hands

Don’t worry – this is probably not going to happen to you. Recent cameras and camcorders have lowered the probability of such a disaster. How? Two words, Stabilization functions.  So, consider yourself warned! Make sure to get a newer model camcorder or camera, maybe something like Samsung HMx-QF30 Wi-Fi Full HD?

 Samsung HMx-QF30 Wi-Fi Full HD

Back in the days, optical stabilization built into the lens was the only way to control the effects of hand movements. Thanks to technological advancement, we have more options now: electronic and digital stabilization. What are they and how do they work? And how does it recognize our hand movements and calculate that into processing the image? Let’s explore.

How does stabilization work?

A sensor attached to the camera lens or imaging device (CCD, CMOS) detects hand movement and moves in the opposite direction to offset the effect. This is a very practical method when shooting in low light.

What are the stabilization methods?

There are two stabilization methods to reduce the effects of hand movement: optical stabilization and electronic stabilization. Samsung uses both. They are integrated into its digital cameras and camcorders according to the products’ characteristics, specification, features and function.

stabilization methods

Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S)

A sensor within the lens detects hand movement and moves the lens in the opposite direction to offset the effect. Until now, optical stabilization has performed better than the electronic method. Unlike camcorders, however, optical stabilization for cameras is only effective if the camera comes with an anti-shake lens.

Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S)

Electronic Image Stabilization

Electronic stabilization works slightly differently in camcorders and cameras. In cameras, it reduces the effects of hand movement by enhancing sensitivity and increasing the shutter speed, or by moving the CMOS sensor in the opposite direction to detected movement.

In camcorders, it reduces the effects of hand movement by employing the CMOS’s free space during recording.

Electronic Stabilization vs Optical Stabilization

When electronic stabilization was first introduced, optical stabilization performed better. In fact optical stabilization still performs better today, but the gap between the two methods has been dramatically reduced due to the rapid progress of electronic control technology. Furthermore, since electronic stabilization is more versatile and can be used in wider applications compared to optical stabilization, some say that electronic stabilization will become more prevalent in the future.

Electronic Stabilization vs Optical Stabilization

Recent higher-level models tend to employ both electronic and optical stabilization to maximize performance. For instance, HMx-QF30 Wi-Fi comes with the Dual IS method; integrating both optical and electronic stabilization.

Now that you know all about stabilization, we’ll just give you one last piece of advice. No matter how far technology has progressed, one thing is for sure – it is always better to use a tripod or ensure a stable position when taking a shot or recording a movie, so get one before you commit to taking another friend’s wedding video!

 

 

Original article/reference: http://www.samsung.com/ph/article/understanding-reducing-the-effects-of-hand-movement/

*All functionality features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

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