On Fri, 21 Jan 2000 03:59:40 +0100, "Menno" wrote:

>Apart from one or two rather expensive DV type cameras,
>it seems like Sony doesn't make Optical Steadyshot anymore.
>BTW, I always thought "Super Steadyshot" ment optical, but I
>guess it doesn't...
>Those D8 camco's got to be shit, since even the most expensive
>one, the 510, doesnt have Optical Steadyshot.
>Why is this?
>I know Canon still puts Optical Steadyshot in relatively inexpensive
>DV camco's, why doesn't Sony?
>Is it to expensive to manufacture, isn't it very durable, or what?
>(I always liked the idea of it, and a lot of people have written that
>it beats that cheap -digital- steadyshot version by far).

The last is not true - it depends on how DIS is implemented.
The Sony DIS used in their mini-DV camcorders does work
well, with no "hit" in picture sharpness, but there are
negatives related to low-light ability. Since Sony packs more
pixels onto their 1/4" chips to maintain resolution
with cropping for DIS, the smaller pixels are less sensitive
to light. Add to that the camcorder's switching to 1/100th
second shutter speed when the stabilizer is engaged
(sometimes 1/100th looks better in bright light) from the
usual 1/60th second, and even more low-light ability is
lost. Turning off the stabilizer will sometimes improve
the picture color in medium light levels with Sony DIS.