R5 and R3: IBIS vs IS

[Zhaopian]

Hi Folks,

Not to beat a dead horse, but I will because I'm confused by what I read on here and what is in the manuals.

Based on the R5 manual on page 242, IBIS High Resolution, IBIS is used just for that--high-res jpegs. The camera takes 9 images and combines them, which is why it takes a bit of time to write the image to the SD card. IS, on the other hand is about minimizing or reducing motion blur, shaky hands, wobbling camera, etc. When the manual says IBIS it is best for stationary subjects, I can infer that about the only thing in which 100% of the scene is not shaking is portraits, product photography, or macro of something that is not likely to move.

Also, it appears that the R3 and a few other cameras also have IBIS. However, I see nothing in the R3 manual nor on the menu settings suggesting it has IBIS (IS, yes, IBIS-no).

I'm a rookie in all this, so please do correct me if I'm wrong. It appears to be just a bit of a play on words and it was a little misleading to me at first. I'm pretty certain, IBIS is not helpful to me with sports or even landscapes on a windy day.

Please do tell me if I'm mistaken. Thank you.

[stevet1]

Zhaopian,

I can only pass along what I have read, and that is, that High Resolution IBIS has some very limited uses. Primarily, that it's only practical with stationary subjects, and done with the use of a tripod. If you do a Google search for Canon R5 HighResolution IBIS, you'll learn that there is very limited success when there is movement, either by the subject, or the camera.

Apparently, there is no motion correction built in.

Steve Thomas

[Zhaopian]

I agree. The only thing I was thinking of after I posted my question is: Is there a correlation between resolution and sharpness or optimal in-focus? Product, portraiture, and real estate photography may benefit from IBIS if greater resolution equals sharpness.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

The R3 does have IBIS.  This is a function of the body and image sensor.  

Digital IS is a feature of the camera.  Stabilization is provided through software in the camera.  Lens IS is a feature of a lens.  It's similar to IBIS, but uses the lenses optics to reduce camera shake, movement and blur. 

If an IS capable lens is connected to a camera with IBIS the two work in conjunction with one another to stabilize still images and video.  

IBIS does not cause image cropping.  Digital IS can because it uses in camera software for stabilization.  You can also use Digital IS in conjunction with lens IS when shooting video.  I do most of the time with no noticeable loss in image quality.  One other thing the R5 C does exceptionally well/better than other cameras with IBIS is no '"jello" effect in the corners of video shot at wide angles.

My camera does not have IBIS and I've not missed  what I've never owned.  The R3 is a beautiful camera, one I'd buy in a second.  Having IBIS can be a good thing, even for sports, landscapes, windy days, etc.  it's especially helpful when shooting handheld and fatigue has set in. 😉

*Edit, punctuation.

[shadowsports]

I should add, the R5 is an excellent camera, especially if you're a stills shooter.  If you're looking for high resolution. It's got it.

The R3 is in a class of its own.  Lower pixel density. Larger photo sites. Great low light performance.  Backside illuminated sensor, faster readout speeds and reduced rolling shutter in comparison to the R5.  Fantastic build quality, and a very attractive price.  Enough from me. Let's hear what others have to say.  

[Tronhard]

My respected colleague Rick has provided an abundance of info on this.  With his tolerance, I will add this. 

IBIS is an acronym for In Body Image Stabilization, which is what it does: namely, it helps to stabilize the images captured by the camera and lens against camera movement.

To go back one step: there are two kinds of stabilization:
Optical Image Stabilization is achieved within lenses by vibrating one of the elements at very high frequency  (usually one close to the rear element) creating a movement that acts rather like a gyroscope where the vibration frequency of the element far exceeds that of the camera's movement, thus masking it, and is compensated for by firmware for the lens. It works in two axes: vertical and horizontal movement.  IS is Canon's brand name for that process, thus: EF 100-400 IS. Other brands call their OIS different product names.

IBIS, is achieved by sensor vibration at a high frequency, thus achieving the same effect. However, IBIS works in five axes, not two, as per the image below.  In Canon cameras, it will work alone for lenses that do not have IS, or the IS of which is not compatible with the Canon's R-series firmware - for example, legacy EF or EF-S lenses, or 3rd-party ones (at time of writing).   For RF and RF-S lenses with IS, it will work with the IS, enhancing the effect. Note: in that situation IS and IBIS are both turned on or off together. 

IBIS is available on the R1, R3, R5 variants, R6 variants, and R7; other bodies do not offer IBIS for stills.  IBIS is not identified on the camera bodies: for example, it's buried in the specs in the Advanced User Guide for the R3 on P1088, but they call it Image Stabilization, not IBIS. I believe this is because their specs are assumed to apply to the camera, not the lens, but do achieve image stabilization - confusing, I admit...

IBIS does not cause cropping of still images, but (while I am not a videographer) I have seen reference to Digital Image Stabilization for video that will not use mechanical stabilization, but use firmware to simulate IBIS (when it is not otherwise available), but may well result in video cropping to achieve that effect.  Essentially it is doing 'pixel wrangling' via computational photography algorithms to cut down what is actually captured, correct it for vibration and present the result.

[shadowsports]

Very well said Trevor🙂🙂

[Tronhard]

Thanks Rick.  Good team!

[FloridaDrafter]

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@Zhaopian wrote:by

"Based on the R5 manual on page 242, IBIS High Resolution, IBIS is used just for that--high-res jpegs. The camera takes 9 images and combines them, which is why it takes a bit of time to write the image to the SD card."

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My colleagues have given you an excellent explanation about IBIS. What you see on page 242 is what is commonly referred to as "Pixel Shift" (see this Wiki article). Leave it to Canon to break from the norm with their feature naming 🙂 This technique is made possible by IBIS where the sensor is moved, pixel by pixel, then combined to make an image with higher resolution. Most camera manufacturers combine the shots into Raw, but Canon creates a JPeG file, and trust me brother, it is huge compared to a single Raw file.

I messed around with this feature soon after I bought the R5. A typical JPeG image was in the range of 24,576 x 16,384 pixels and weighed in at a hefty 161MB. Your camera and subject must be stationary. I posted some results in the Gallery on this forum. Attached is a sample, which has been reduce to 2000px from the full frame dimensions listed above.

EOS R5, RF 100mm f/2.8L, 1/40th, f/7.1, ISO 800.

Newton