Getting the best photos with mobile devices is becoming much easier, especially thanks to the different technologies that have been developed over the years, such as image stabilization . And it is that, many users, only look at the specifications of the mobile camera when choosing a terminal.
And there is no doubt that this is one of those components that greatly influences the image quality that we can achieve with a mobile camera. Although there are other relevant factors such as the types of lenses they may have, the aperture or the processing of the photo itself, this technology has an important weight. For this reason, we will explain exactly what it influences and all the types that we can find today in the terminals.
The image stabilizer for photos
Its own name indicates the main function that this technology must fulfill, it is responsible for stabilizing all the photographs we take with our mobile device . Basically, it is responsible for reducing all possible vibrations that can occur when taking an image through a sensor, in this case with the terminals. And all, with the aim of being able to eliminate any type of movement that is not desired and that can cause the photographs taken to appear deleted or videos that have strange movements.
Advantages of each stabilization system
At present we can find different types, from electronic stabilization systems to optical ones. Furthermore, the combination of both gave rise to hybrids. Although, the last to appear on the scene has been stabilizer by AI.
The first of those that we have mentioned is usually integrated in most of the terminals that we find today. In addition, its operation aims to imitate that of the OIS , but without hardware. And, this technology uses the mobile accelerometer to detect small movements and the surface that is captured is slightly reduced giving a zoom effect. And in the videos, it manages to find a high contrast point so that it is more effective.
But, it is not error free as it can cause various negative effects such as image distortion. In addition, when we have this activated in our terminal, some edges will appear in the sensor image with which the image will not be seen in full and, therefore, it will be cropped. Also leading to lower resolution and image clarity.
The second type also has different advantages that make it the most effective since it fulfills its function in a remarkable way. In addition, as it is a hardware solution, the need to crop the scene when capturing video, as in EIS , is completely eliminated. However, these systems are components that cost extra to manufacture these devices, which is why it is common to find them in high-end mobiles.
Later, we come across hybrid technology , which will offer us to be able to capture night images with very good quality, by combining all the benefits of the two aforementioned technologies. And, finally, the help of AI in stabilization, which achieves a better image without deformations when accompanying the optics.
The camera technologies that exist
Fortunately, there are different types of these systems on mobile devices today, although the first to benefit from this technology were still cameras. But, thanks to the different advances that have taken place over the years, it has been able to be introduced into mobile cameras . However, there are some types that will offer us greater precision, which will lead to more satisfactory results for users.
Although, it must be made clear that this functionality feature that a large part of the smartphone has today, is usually applied mostly to video recording and in a minority way in taking pictures. Since, in the second case, it is used mainly when trying to get captures with little natural or artificial lighting, so a better exposure is necessary. Therefore, we are going to learn about each of the different possible technologies.
EIS
One of the types that we can find more commonly in Android mobile devices is the so-called EIS , which aims to do the same OIS functions, but without hardware. In addition, as we have mentioned before, this technology uses the accelerometer of our terminal in order to detect possible unforeseen movements that may occur, no matter how minimal. Therefore, the software will be in charge of interpreting these movements and aligning each frame of the image.
OIS
Optical imaging technology , also known as OIS, is a hardware solution that, instead of using the mobile accelerometer as in the previous type, works thanks to the microelectromechanical system gyroscope (MEMS). Likewise, it also detects movements to be able to adjust the camera of the mobile to the right size. Therefore, if we are holding the Smartphone and we decide to move it to any side, this technology will detect it and move the camera to that side in order to stabilize said capture.
A hybrid technology
Hybrid systems , or HIS, began to be implemented in order to combine the best of OIS and EIS in order to offer better image stabilization when taking a picture. And, as its name suggests, this type manages to combine the properties of the other two, which has caused more and more smartphone manufacturers to choose it to implement it in the cameras of their mobile devices.
Stabilization by AI
Artificial Intelligence has been the latest phenomenon of mobile telephony that has been implemented in the cameras of the terminals. Although its use is basically to help the other technologies. In addition, it is important to know that artificial intelligence is used so that the camera can take different photos or record videos with higher exposure, especially in low light conditions. At the same time, it can result in a sharper and more detailed image without any blurring.
Which Image Stabilizer is Better?
Thanks to the level of development that these technologies have had when it comes to achieving better imaging with our terminals. Therefore, it has been much more complicated to choose between any of these types. However, when we see every detail, pro or con that these types offer us, we can see that the optimal one is better than electronics , since we can achieve better results when taking photos.
Although, it is totally true that the ideal is to always have image stabilization, whatever the technology that the camera of our terminal has. But, if you have to choose, it would be that we mentioned above. Since, as much as the hybrid manages to combine the previous two, it is still not superior to the rest. Even despite the different advantages that it offers us today.
