Gizmodo: Image stabilization

Invensense Cellphone Image Stabilization

Charlie White — Wed, 24 May 2006 14:18:49 EDT

In the beginning days of image stabilization, you had to spend $15,000 for a Steadicam, and hire a specially-trained operator to run it. But now, Invensense has invented a camera phone image stabilization device with what it calls the world's smallest dual axis gyroscope, boiling it down into a wafer-thin chip. The company says it's five times smaller than piezo-type technology image stabilization currently used in many digital cameras, and will easily fit into even the smallest camera phone.

The thinking is that megapixelage of camera phones is steadily rising—even in that cellphone backwater, the US—and end-users will soon be noticing how bad their pictures are. That will keep them from sending shots to each other via cellular service, so if the pictures are of higher quality, thanks to this little device, service provider revenue will be enhanced because people will move around more photos. Could be in a cellphone near you sometime in '07. Sounds like a great idea, especially if the device doesn't add a lot of bulk or cost.

Dual-Axis Gyroscope [Incensense, via OhGizmo]

Steady-ORB: Smooth Moves for DV Shooters

Charlie White — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 11:39:23 EST

If you're having trouble keeping that video shot from shaking, here's an alternative to $8,000 Steadicam camera stabilization gear: Steady-ORB, created by Hollywood cinematographers for mere mortals. This lightweight 3.2 lb. device is made of aluminum and Teflon, and it was designed specifically for DV camcorders. You can place it on the floor or a table and use it as a tripod, or you can carry it around and it gives you a steady shot while you're moving. You're also able to flip it upside down to get extremely low-angle moves.

Take a look at the video and you'll see this goes far beyond that image stabilization technology that's included with camcorders. Available on the Web for $425.

Product page

DoCoMo FOMA Image Stabilization Mojo

tgrumet — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 13:30:44 EST

We told you about these NTT DoCoMo FOMA N902i series cellphones last week. But we didn't get to mention one of the best parts. The phone, developed by NEC, will add an electronic still image stabilizer that will give the 2 megapixel camera the ability to provide 4 megapixel resolution, using pixel interpolation. Yes, we know that there are other phones with image stabilization features, but it's usually done mechanically, making it less effective. And look at all the pretty colors too! I'm lovin' the orange.

NTT Docomo's FOMA N902i, with Image stabilizer [Phoneyworld]