Image stabilisation is one of the most critical factors that affect the quality of the media reproduced by a camera. Be it a video or an image, it would not be very pleasing if it is unstable. From cheap mobile phones to high-end professional DSLR cameras, every device is used to click pictures and clicking pictures with moving, or shaky hands lead to a noisy and blurred image. But as humans, we can’t remain completely stable while using the camera. Then, what is the solution to this?

One solution could be using a tripod or any other stand for clicking pictures, but carrying a tripod along with you all the time would not be comfortable as well as feasible. This is where OIS and EIS come into play.

Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS)

OIS is undoubtedly the most reliable and effective form of image stabilisation. OIS uses tiny gyro-sensors that are placed inside the lens. These sensors help the lens to quickly shift according to the motion even before the image is converted into a digital form. Basically, all the cameras which use OIS have small motors fixed inside them which can be turned on and off by the software according to the movements. Some manufacturers also give the user, freedom to switch OIS on and off.

Also read: Photography 101: Switching to Manual Mode

Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS)

EIS is an alternative to OIS. Nowadays, every phone manufacturing company is moving towards slimmer and sleeker models. OIS requires the use of gyro-sensors and electronic motors, which takes up a large amount of space in the phones, which may also be a reason for the ‘camera bump’. To save up some space and cut off the extra cost of motors and sensors, manufacturers have adopted this method of stabilisation. After years of R&D, the software was designed that was able to stabilise an image or a video to a great extent. Many smartphones have got rid off the mechanical stabilisation. Though not as effective as OIS, it can save some money and even get better by every software update without the need of replacing the motors.

OIS vs EIS: Which one is better?

OIS and EIS both are very useful, but OIS is slightly better than EIS as it provides mechanical stabilisation. There may be instances when the software may malfunction, but the mechanical hardware will always remain reliable.

Many users do not generally care about the kind of stabilisation their device provides but those who shoot a lot of videos or take a lot of images from their device, know its importance.

Most of the high-end flagship devices provide OIS and almost all the DSLR use OIS as well. Is there a need to have hardware-based stabilisation or you are happy with EIS and a bit cheaper device? Let us know in the comments section.

Also read: What is Exposure bracketing? How to take bracketed exposures?