What is 4 stop image stabilization? (2023 Updated)

This is again Mehmood from Camlense.com and here to answer another simple question about image stabilization. Recently after we added a post on why image stabilization is measured in stops, we received queries that what is 4 stop image stabilization and how does it work. So, let’s discuss it in detail.

Table of Contents

What is 4 Stop Image Stabilization

With 4 stop image stabilization, we can increase or decrease the shutter speed by four times compared to the actual thumb rule to avoid motion blur. For example, if we have a 200mm lens, instead of 1/200^th of a second, we can use 1/25^th of a second shutter.

For Example

If we are having a 400mm lens, by thumb rule we can have a shutter speed of 1/25^th of a second to avoid motion blur. But and apply 1 stop image stabilization, then we can increase the shutter speed to 1/50^th of a second.

Similarly, in 2 stop image stabilization, we can reduce the shutter speed to 1/100^th of a second and 1/100^th if we apply 3 stops. And finally, in 4 stop image stabilization, we can have a 4 times higher shutter speed of 1/200^th of a second.

Stops in Image Stabilization

Stops	Initial Shutter	New Shutter Speed
No Image Stabilization	1/25^th of a Second	1/25^th of a Second
1-Stop Stabilization	1/25^th of a Second	1/50^th of a Second
2-Stop Stabilization	1/25^th of a Second	1/100^th of a Second
3-Stop Stabilization	1/25^th of a Second	1/100^th of a Second
4-Stop Stabilization	1/25^th of a Second	1/200^th of a Second
5-Stop Stabilization	1/25^th of a Second	1/400^th of a Second
6-Stop Stabilization	1/25^th of a Second	1/800^th of a Second

So, as you can see in the table above, at 4-Stop Stabilization you can have a shutter speed equal to 1/200^th which is initially 1/25^th of a second without having motion blur. It is because the stabilization stabilizes the sensor or lens reducing shakiness due to which you can lower the shutter time.

What is Stop in the Field of Image Stabilization?

The stop is also the measuring unit of image stabilization just like it is for aperture, shutter speed, and iso. It is because the shutter speed can be lowered than the thumb-rule number with image stabilization and as the shutter is measured speed is conventionally measured in stops, we use stops for image stabilization too.

Stops in Image Stabilization Valid Only for Photos

As we know that shutter speed can be increased or decreased for photos only and not for videos because videos are recorded in real-time and hence no processing can be applied, therefore, this stops formula cannot be applied to videos and we hope that the manufacturers introduce a new scale for measuring image stabilization for videos.

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Final Verdict

So, finally concluding our post, we come to the result that by applying image stabilization, we can achieve the same blur-free photos as slower shutter speeds depending on the stabilization stops. Though this measurement is valid only for photos and for videos we are waiting for a new capable scale that can help us measure the stabilization.