Optical image stabilization
A camera feature that physically shifts the lens (or sensor) to counteract hand shake, enabling longer exposures and steadier video.
OIS uses gyroscopes to detect motion and a micro-actuator to move the lens or sensor in the opposite direction, keeping the image still on the sensor.
On smartphones
Modern flagships use sensor-shift OIS (the sensor itself moves), more effective than lens-shift on tiny modules. Gives 2–4 stops of low-light improvement.
On dedicated cameras
- OSS / IS / OIS — lens-based, included in the lens spec.
- IBIS — in-body image stabilization, sensor-based, included in the body spec.
The two combine when both are present. Modern systems advertise 7–8 stops of combined stabilization, enough for handheld 2-second exposures.
How to use Optical image stabilization in a real comparison
A camera feature that physically shifts the lens (or sensor) to counteract hand shake, enabling longer exposures and steadier video. In practice, this is most useful as one part of a decision rather than a standalone quality badge. Compare it alongside the workload, room, ecosystem, budget, and ownership constraints that apply to you; the strongest published figure is not automatically the best outcome for every buyer.
What to check next
On vsMars, read together so the value has product-specific context. It is especially relevant in .
Avoid the one-number trap
Manufacturers can describe the same capability under different conditions. Compare like-for-like variants, check the unit and test condition where available, and use a head-to-head page to see whether a measurable difference is material for your own use.
vsMars presents structured catalog values to make trade-offs legible. The linked product and spec pages are the right place to inspect the underlying values before buying.