SteadyShot

SteadyShot is the trademarked name of an integrated video camera image stabilisation technology developed by Sony for its range of consumer and prosumer video camcorders.

How It Works

When a lightweight video camera is operated in hand-held mode, small movements by the operator's hands and body are translated into instabilities in the captured image stream. "SteadyShot" is an optical image stabilization technique which uses motion sensors to make adjustments to the physical lens elements to ensure that the image remains as motionless as possible on the CCD image sensor .

This approach is contrasted to "digital image stabilization" in which the physical image is allowed to "track" the scene on the CCD by software to produce a stable image. The digital technique requires the pixel count to be increased to allow the image to move on the CCD while keeping reference points within the boundaries of the capture chip.

SteadyShot is entirely internal to the camcorder unlike external stabilisation systems such as the Steadicam.