Focal Length Makes a Difference

December 2002

FOCAL LENGTH MAKES A DIFFERENCE
POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY tested the Nikon and Canon image stabilization systems, and found relatively different performance depending on lens focal length. At 100mm and 200mm, Nikon's system produced sharp slides at shutter speeds as slow as 1/8 sec, generally one full stop slower than Canon. At 300mm and 400mm, Canon produced sharper slides at shutter speeds as slow as 1/10 sec, in four out of six test scenes. See story for explanation. Details below (magnified 10X) illustrate typical performance.

Canon 400mm, 1/15	Nikon 400, 1/15	NO IS 400mm, 1/15
Canon's IS produced sharp slide, handheld	With like conditions, Nikon VR is slightly blurry	Without IS, scene is very soft