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15 smartphone cameras with optical image stabilization

posted by Nick T. / Dec 14, 2014, 5:46 PM

15 smartphone cameras with optical image stabilization

Optical image stabilization, or OIS for short, used to be a feature found solely on dedicated cameras and camcoders. For the past couple of years, however, it has made its way into the cameras of dozens of smartphones, from Lumias to Android models, and even in Apple's iPhone. The purpose of OIS is to aid the photographer in taking smoother videos and blur-free images, especially in low light. That is done using high-precision sensors which detect even minute unwanted vibrations. These work in unison with an array of tiny motors which physically move pieces of the optical system in a way that compensates for any accidental movements that might occur.

But enough talk. We're sure that you're here to see which of today's top phones offer optical image stabilization goodness. Just flip through the slideshow below and meet 15 of the better OIS-capable smarpthones on the market.

15 smartphone cameras with optical image stabilization

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36 Comments

1. theguy2345

Posts: 1216; Member since: Jun 24, 2014

It is a great feature. All future flagships should have it. Sadly, my M8 doesn`t have it and I have a ton of blurry pics. I have really unsteady hands.

posted on Dec 14, 2014, 6:15 PM 4

2. vincelongman

Posts: 5691; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

The M7 had OIS HTC removed OIS from the M8 for Duo Camera instead (bad choice IMO)

posted on Dec 14, 2014, 6:46 PM 9

4. theguy2345

Posts: 1216; Member since: Jun 24, 2014

That's a really stupid move. Why remove features? But then again, they added others, like a SD card slot

posted on Dec 14, 2014, 7:26 PM 2

10. vincelongman

Posts: 5691; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

HTC said that OIS was not compatible with their Duo Camera So they had to drop one of them They chose Duo Camera over OIS

posted on Dec 14, 2014, 10:16 PM 0

21. theguy2345

Posts: 1216; Member since: Jun 24, 2014

The duo camera sucks. I don't take pictures often, but when I do the quality is very poor with this camera. Wish they had just gave it a regular camera

posted on Dec 15, 2014, 5:38 AM 1

23. marcski07

Posts: 600; Member since: Apr 25, 2014

can some one help me out, i'm choosing between 930 vs 1520, disregard the obvious difference e.g display/screen size, battery size, expandable memory, glance support, and the price, which is much better? coz i'm confused, they're almost identical, i just want to know, what will i miss if i chose 1520 over 930... and vice versa... TIA

posted on Dec 15, 2014, 6:53 AM 0

27. theguy2345

Posts: 1216; Member since: Jun 24, 2014

Depends on what you want. If you choose the 930, you lose glance, the large screen and expandable memory. If you choose the 1520, you have to lug around a giant brick (if you like phablets, that is a different story). Really, unless you can`t stand the fact the 1520 is huge, it is the way to go. Unless you get the M8 with WP. I have it, and it is the perfect size and has expandable memory. Personally, that is the way to go, but if you really want a lumia, the 1520. You lose a lot with it, and it is highly regarded as a non-worthy successor to the 920. In the end, it is really your choice though.

posted on Dec 15, 2014, 8:56 AM 0

30. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

I get blurry pics on my Note 4 if im fudging around.. however my clear pix & video are clearer than any other phone pix ive taken.

posted on Dec 15, 2014, 11:34 PM 0

3. akki20892

Posts: 3902; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

i still remember nokia lumia 920.......when was it announced in Nokia World 2012

posted on Dec 14, 2014, 7:19 PM 3

15. Genza

Posts: 576; Member since: Mar 12, 2014

I also remember when I read the news about Sharp launched AQUOS SH-01D Android phones that feature optical image stabilization in 2011. http://www.slashgear.com/sharp-aquos-sh-01d-gets-official-for-ntt-docomo-25197988/

posted on Dec 15, 2014, 1:06 AM 0

18. hemedans

Posts: 755; Member since: Jun 01, 2013

and i remember when no one managed managed to beat 920 in low light and video stabilization

posted on Dec 15, 2014, 3:06 AM 1

20. Genza

Posts: 576; Member since: Mar 12, 2014

Yeah but unfortunately those days are over.

posted on Dec 15, 2014, 5:17 AM 0

5. adit38

Posts: 25; Member since: Jul 02, 2013

Where is my lumia 920? The first phone used OIS. I owned vivo xshot also, its has dual tone flash like iphone, has lumia interface, have a two stage shutter button, and its running android. What a perfect phone.

posted on Dec 14, 2014, 7:41 PM 1

24. marcski07

Posts: 600; Member since: Apr 25, 2014

posted on Dec 15, 2014, 6:53 AM 0

35. poptart

Posts: 49; Member since: Nov 28, 2014

So true about the vivo xshot. I enjoy embarrassing my co workers when I'm comparing my superior xshot camera functionalities and pics to inferior Samsung and iPhone models. Now where is the review for the vivo xshot and vivo 5x max.

posted on Dec 22, 2014, 3:23 PM 0

6. Neo_Huang

Posts: 1067; Member since: Dec 06, 2013

I knew the iPhone 6 Plus would be first on this list. And don't give me the "alphabetical" BS. The list isn't.

posted on Dec 14, 2014, 7:53 PM 3

7. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Because it actually has real ois and not software ois like some others do. Stop whining.

posted on Dec 14, 2014, 8:01 PM 0

12. fzacek

Posts: 2486; Member since: Jan 26, 2014

It's called "Optical" Image Stabilization for a reason. There is no such thing as "software" Optical Image Stabilization...

posted on Dec 14, 2014, 11:28 PM 6

13. SPASE

Posts: 261; Member since: May 03, 2013

you said it,,, not like some others. who are the others that use the "fake" OIS ?

posted on Dec 14, 2014, 11:34 PM 1

16. Phonecall01 unregistered

Haha... You must not know what "optical" means...

posted on Dec 15, 2014, 1:23 AM 0

19. boosook

Posts: 1442; Member since: Nov 19, 2012

LOOOL! ALL the phones mentioned in this article have real OIS (btw, the stabilization either it's optical or it cannot be called OIS), many of these phones have been released more than one year ago like the Nokias, the Nexus 5, LG G2 and HTC One, and can be bought for 1/3 of the price of the iphone 6 plus, which is just a newcomer in this category. But I know that understanding these things is difficult when you're living inside the Reality Distortion Field.