Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

FM Forums \| General Gear-talk \| Join Upload & Sell	Search Used
end

Archive 2009 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

kjrain
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #1 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

Since this question is for both Canon and Nikon so I post it here - trying to get a neutral opinion.

My question is: Which technology IS or VR is more powerful to help stabilizing the shake/vibration?

Nov 20, 2009 at 08:02 PM

marc88
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #2 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

Not sure you will get a neutral opinion, because a photographer will have one or the other. Those that have experience
with both, will have left one to go to the other side. The question then reverts back to who is better, and the answer is they both work equally well.

Nov 20, 2009 at 08:09 PM

Anthony Labbe
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #3 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

I agree, used both and found no real differance.

I'm sure there are "tests" people have done. But there are alot of things that would sway my decision on Canon / Nikon before the stabalization.

Nov 20, 2009 at 08:15 PM

jdben622
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #4 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

Canon is significantly better. VR only works for vibration, hence the VR. Canon IS works with camera shake, vibration, and overall camera motion since it is stabilizing the entire image (ie: IS).

Nov 20, 2009 at 08:40 PM

reggie747
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

Canon is significantly better. VR only works for vibration, hence the VR. Canon IS works with camera shake, vibration, and overall camera motion since it is stabilizing the entire image (ie: IS).

Really ??

Surely the naming of both systems comes down to offering something essentially the same so called something different to the world markets and the patents and branding of both of them ??

Just my thoughts mind.....!!

Nov 20, 2009 at 08:44 PM

plubbry
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #6 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

Sorry guys but the best image stabilization HAS to be the Panasonic or Leica system since it is called MegaOIS (Mega Optical Image Stabilization). I just has to be better than just regular old IS.

Both Nikon VR and Canon IS implement optical stabilzation by moving a glass element in the lens to counter unwanted image shake. The stabilizing element is moved based on input from a couple of gyroscopic sensors which detect both vertical and horizontal motion. Nikon and Canon have subsequently added additional features such as Nikon's 'active mode' or the ability for the Canon lens to determine it is on a tripod and turn off IS. Canon has just released a 'hybrid IS' which I believe tries to compensate for forward & back motion in addition to the vertical and horizontal motion.

It is difficult to really determine which system, IS or VR, is most effective. Beyond discussing various different implementations or technoligies with each system, it would be better to ask for example how the VR on a Nikon 70-200 compares to the IS on a Canon 70-200. Just to make it more interesting Nikon's VR II would likely perform better than Nikon VR and the VR on a 70-200 2.8 will likely peform a little differently than it does on a 300 2.8.

I would suspect it would be easier to see differences in performance between two different IS lenses or an IS and VR lens than it would to simply see differences between IS and VR as systems.

Nov 20, 2009 at 09:19 PM

kaybeejay
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #7 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

You might want toss in Tamron "VC" and Sigma "OS" in there as well.

Nov 21, 2009 at 12:16 AM

HerbChong
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #8 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

you look at the patents and they do basically the same thing. it boils down to how well they implemented what they said they patented. frankly, i would never base a system decision on something like this. there are far more important reasons.

Herb...

reggie747 wrote:
Surely the naming of both systems comes down to offering something essentially the same so called something different to the world markets and the patents and branding of both of them ??

Nov 21, 2009 at 01:05 AM

runamuck
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #9 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

jdben622 wrote:
Canon is significantly better. VR only works for vibration, hence the VR. Canon IS works with camera shake, vibration, and overall camera motion since it is stabilizing the entire image (ie: IS).

HUH? Nikon stabilizes only part of the image? Which part? Edges? Center? Background? Foreground? Just how does it identify vibration apart from camera shake or movement?

Forget photography. You should have a job in advertising.

Nov 21, 2009 at 09:29 PM

MSC
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #10 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

I've owned and used both systems...they both work as advertised.

Nov 21, 2009 at 09:33 PM

EB-1
Online
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #11 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

They are essemtially the same, using different trademarked nomenclature. Which is better depends on the specific lens and time when it was designed. Understandably, newer designs provide better results.

EBH

Nov 22, 2009 at 12:34 AM

EB-1
Online
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #12 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

Nov 22, 2009 at 12:34 AM

musclepics
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #13 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

Well, with the brand new designs, it's hard to say which is better, but I think the new Hybrid IS from Canon is probably the one to beat.

Prior to that, Canon had the advantage with the fact that there was no need to turn of IS when using a tripod (where the Nikons had problems).

Also, Canons generally had a slight advantage in stops (say comparing the 70-200 IS and VR lenses). Although, the newer Canon lenses (70-200/4 IS) did have an even additional 1 stop advantage. I'm not sure how much this is noticeable in real world.

The only data I've found comparing the two systems on similar lenses are from the Dpreviews of the 70-200/2.8's where the Canons showed a small (maybe not) advantage.

70mm

Canon 70-200/2.8 IS

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Nikon 70-200/2.8 VR

This image is copyrighted by the owner

200mm

Canon 70-200/2.8 IS

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Nikon 70-200/2.8 VR

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Nov 22, 2009 at 12:51 AM · View previous versions

Nov 22, 2009 at 12:49 AM

EB-1
Online
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #14 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

And of course the new Nikkor will be much better.

EBH

Nov 22, 2009 at 12:50 AM

musclepics
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #15 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

And then there will be the new Canon Hybrid, which will be even better, etc.
Gotta love technology and the $$ it takes to keep up.
However, I'm already satisfied with 3 stops of IS.

Nov 22, 2009 at 01:37 AM

JimU
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

the sony/minolta system has image stablization on every lens, including alt lenses.

Nov 22, 2009 at 02:02 AM

Jos Tesseract
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #17 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

Both the same, since they stabilize an element within the lens.

The question should really be, which is better? Canon/Nikon or Sony?
Since Sony stabilizes the film plane and not the lens plane.

Nov 22, 2009 at 02:03 AM

musclepics
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #18 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

Are the IS results viewable in the viewfinder of the sony/minolta systems?
I tried a friend's sony (if I remember correctly) and because it was in body, it didn't help at all when trying to stabilize what I was looking at TTL. I hated it.

Nov 22, 2009 at 02:46 AM

plubbry
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #19 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

If stabilization is implemented by moving the sensor, then the viewfinder will not appear stabilized UNLESS it happens to be an electronic view finder that uses the sensor.

Nov 22, 2009 at 02:53 AM

musclepics
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #20 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

Thanks plubbry.
Ah well, I went years without IS, so I'm not going to let it spoil me now.

Nov 22, 2009 at 03:43 AM

MSC
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #21 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

I dunno...I don't buy a camera system based on one thing like this. Get me close and it becomes a non-issue...this is one that seems to be a distinction without a difference when using the thing. The Canon IS may be the next level, not sure, but am curious when I pick one up.

Nov 22, 2009 at 03:56 AM

Beni
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #22 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

Keep in mind that there are different generations of IS.

Nov 22, 2009 at 01:33 PM

jdben622
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #23 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

runamuck wrote:
jdben622 wrote:
Canon is significantly better. VR only works for vibration, hence the VR. Canon IS works with camera shake, vibration, and overall camera motion since it is stabilizing the entire image (ie: IS).

HUH? Nikon stabilizes only part of the image? Which part? Edges? Center? Background? Foreground? Just how does it identify vibration apart from camera shake or movement?

Forget photography. You should have a job in advertising.

I was kidding. I think the only real comparisons are between in-body IS and in-lens IS. Canon's hybrid IS should get thrown in the mix. However, between IS and VR, you're likely comparing apples to apples. I think 5-stops is starting to push the level of practicality. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of IS, but unless you're taking pictures of static objects, subject motion starts to become a factor at these super-slow shutter speeds.

When Canon puts the IS in the body and creates a image-stablized electronic 100% viewfinder, I'll be a happy camper. Maybe my 5-year old will get to use such a camera.

Nov 22, 2009 at 02:03 PM

SoundHound
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #24 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

There are different generations of each system with claimed improvements for each. That's one reason that I paid more to get Canon's latest IS on their 200mm F2.0 (the Nikkor was a mature release with corresponding IQ and VR). It works exceedingly well, in my opinion, better than their own (older version) 70-200 F2.8.

Nov 22, 2009 at 03:01 PM

spada
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #25 · Canon IS vs. Nikon VR

jdben622 wrote:

When Canon puts the IS in the body and creates a image-stablized electronic 100% viewfinder, I'll be a happy camper. Maybe my 5-year old will get to use such a camera.

Yeah, he can use one right now if you want him to. Go buy him a used Konica Minolta DiMage A2. It probably has the best electronic viewfinder ever. 100%, image-stabilized, and 922,000 pixels refreshing at 60fps.

Nov 23, 2009 at 06:07 PM


FM Forums \| General Gear-talk \| Join Upload & Sell end