Coordinated image stabilisation

The introduction of in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) with the EOS R5 and EOS R6 opens up new possibilities for taking photographs. You can now take freehand shots with shutter speeds of up to four seconds.

The large diameter of the new RF lens mount supports the high level of efficiency of IBIS. Often, however, little or no consideration is given to the interaction of the stabilisation systems in the camera and lens that make this possible in the first place. A thorough understanding of the functions can be very helpful in getting the most out of them.

One basic principle of image stabilisation in the EOS R5 and EOS R6 applies regardless of which lenses are used - unless the image stabiliser is switched off: Five axes are always stabilised.

Five axes are supported with coordinated image stabilisation (lens-based IS + IBIS).

When using different lens types (RF, EF and EF-S bayonet lenses or manually-adjusted lenses), image stabilisation is performed according to the following rules:

RF lenses:

Without optical image stabiliser (IS): IBIS stabilises all five axes.

With Optical Image Stabilizer: IBIS supports two axes at long shooting distances (pitch/yaw) and extends stabilisation to all five axes.

EF and EF-S lenses:

Without Optical Image Stabilizer: IBIS stabilises all five axes.

With Optical Image Stabilizer: IS stabilises as before; IBIS extends stabilisation to all five axes.

Manually-adjusted lenses:

IBIS stabilises all five axes. The focal length of the lens is entered manually in the camera menu.

The stabilisation functions in detail

With EF and EF-S lenses, there is a "division of labour" between the different stabilisation methods. To simplify, let's assume that an EF lens uses a non-hybrid IS (see Hybrid IS below for a definition). This version of the IS is built into the vast majority of EF lenses with IS: The lens-based IS stabilises the "pitch" and "yaw" movements. IBIS stabilises when the camera is moved (parallel) right/left and up/down (X/Y axis) and when "rolling".

When using a lens with hybrid IS (e.g. EF 100mm F2.8L IS Macro or RF 35 F1.8 IS Macro), the lense-based IS stabilises when the camera is moved right/left and forward/backward. In this case, IBIS will only stabilise when the camera is "rolling".

If there is no option for image stabilisation in the camera's settings menu, IBIS and the lens-based IS will work together (split - depending on focal length - or coordinated - that is complementary, depending on which system (EF or RF) is fitted). In these two cases, image stabilisation can only be switched off using the switch on the lens. The menu item for disabling IBIS only appears when using non-stabilised lenses.

IBIS works with all EF lenses, providing additional stabilisation methods (at the very minimum "Roll").

It works in a coordinated way with RF lenses. Not only does it provide additional stabilisation methods that the IS lens does not, but it also enhances the performance of the RF lens by providing additional levels of stabilisation. For example, the RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM stabilises 5 stops with the lens-based IS. IBIS adds two more stops (according to CIPA measurements) so that this lens achieves a total stabilisation of 7 stops.

This improvement through the coordination of both IS systems also depends on the focal length: long focal lengths are better stabilised by the lens-based IS, while medium and wide-angle focal lengths are more effectively supported by IBIS.

A plus sign "+" next to the "white hand" in the camera's display indicates that the stabilisation systems are co-ordinated.

Image stabilisation for video

When using the EOS R5 or EOS R6 as a video camera, the stabilisation rules described above are slightly different. For example, when using RF, EF or EF-S macro lenses with hybrid IS in the macro range, stabilisation is provided exclusively by the camera's IBIS.

In addition, Movie Digital IS, a 5-axis electronic image stabilisation system, can be used for 8K, 4K and Full HD video recording (not 8K RAW). This works by using pixels outside the visible image as a buffer to compensate for unwanted movement. When Movie Digital IS is off, 100% of the sensor area is read out as image information. The two levels of stabilisation available - 'On' and 'Extended' - reduce the image area of the sensor to 90% and 70% respectively.

In contrast to the functon on the EOS R, this stabilisation method is also available on the EOS R5 and EOS R6 in combination with IBIS and the lens-based IS. However, Movie Digital IS only works when the optical image stabiliser of the lens is switched on. For lenses without IS, switching on Digital IS also switches on the camera's IBIS.

Again, with this type of stabilisation, image stabilisation is more effective with wide-angle lenses. The longer the telephoto focal length, the less effective the image stabilisation is. Beyond 1000 millimetres, it no longer works at all.

The bottom line

To sum up, the image stabilisation built into the body of the new EOS R cameras and the clever interaction of the optical image stabilisation systems in the lenses take image stabilisation to a new level. This enables handheld shooting with long exposures that previously seemed impossible. Combined with outstanding high-ISO performance and an AF system that can focus accurately in extremely low light, this opens up new creative possibilities for photographers and videographers.