Lumix G85 IBIS sensor shift demo

While Olympus have relied on in-body image stabilization (IBIS) since the start of Micro Four Thirds, Panasonic have taken another route: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), i.e., lens elements moving to offset camera shake. The disadvantage of OIS is that it needs to be implemented in every lens. And many Panasonic prime lenses do not have OIS built in.

Hence, Panasonic have started to use IBIS: First in the premium rangefinder style GX series: GX7, GX8, and the more reasonably priced Lumix GX85. Starting this autumn, the technique has also trickled into the SLR styled G series with the Lumix G85. At the same time, we see the quality and the usability of the IBIS implementation improve.

To demonstrate how this works, I have mounted the Lumix G85 on a Desmond stereo bracket, facing the Lumix GH4 with a Samyang 7.5mm f/3.5 fisheye lens:

The lens was set to the closest possible focus distance, and f/4.5. By powering on the Lumix G85 camera without a lens mounted, it is possible to see how the sensor moves around inside it:






This gives you better stabilized photos and videos, even when using prime lenses without OIS, and even when using legacy manual focus lenses on a dump adapter. If using a non-electronic adapter, you need to enable the "Shoout without lens" option in the Custom menu, and you can set the focal length of the lens manually, so that the camera can stabilize it as effective as possible.

Conclusion

It is good to see that the IBIS technology is starting to trickle down into more Lumix camera models. With IBIS, it is much easier to record stable video clips handheld. Also, you can take photos with prime lenses at longer shutter speeds than before, making it easier to take landscape images in the evening, for example.

The Lumix GH5 is expected to be released in the spring of 2017, and it will probably not have IBIS, though.