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OIS vs EIS: Which Smartphone Stabilization Should You Care About?

1/29/2026 · Cameras · 6 min

OIS vs EIS: Which Smartphone Stabilization Should You Care About?

TL;DR

  • Optical image stabilization (OIS) moves the lens or sensor to counteract shake; best for low-light photos and natural motion control.
  • Electronic image stabilization (EIS) crops and shifts frames using software and gyro data; it is flexible, low-cost, and improves video smoothness but can crop and reduce resolution.
  • Hybrid systems combine OIS and EIS for the best stability across photos and video, especially at higher frame rates.
  • Best picks by use case:
  • Action video and vlogging: hybrid OIS+EIS or OIS with good EIS support.
  • Low-light photography: OIS is the priority.
  • Casual content and battery-conscious users: EIS alone is often sufficient.

How OIS Works

  • OIS physically shifts lens elements or the sensor to counteract hand motion detected by gyros. It corrects motion at the source, which helps long exposures and reduces blur.
  • Pros: Improves sharpness in low light, no cropping, better for stills.
  • Cons: Adds mechanical complexity, cost, and small power draw. It has limits with large or rapid movement.

How EIS Works

  • EIS uses motion sensors and software to crop and translate the image frames, smoothing movement after capture. More advanced implementations use frame interpolation and neural filters.
  • Pros: No moving parts, cheaper, effective at steadying video, scalable for multiple lenses.
  • Cons: Requires cropping (less field of view), can reduce resolution, and may introduce artifacts with aggressive processing.

Hybrid Stabilization

  • Many modern phones use OIS for optical correction plus EIS to clean residual motion. This combo gives stable video at higher frame rates and retains low-light still performance.
  • Look for devices that advertise OIS+EIS or sensor-shift plus electronic stabilization for best results.

Video Considerations

  • For 4K or high-frame-rate capture, EIS can be more demanding because cropping matters more; high-quality hybrid systems keep 4K sharp with minimal crop.
  • If you frequently record action or gimbal-free footage, prioritize phones with proven hybrid algorithms or dedicated action modes.

Photo and Low Light

  • OIS lets the camera use slower shutter speeds without blur, yielding brighter, cleaner photos in dim scenes.
  • EIS does not help stills before the capture; it may stabilize preview or burst alignment but cannot replace optical correction for long exposures.

Battery and Heat

  • OIS consumes a small amount of power when active; EIS uses CPU/GPU cycles and can impact battery and run hotter during long recordings.
  • Hybrid modes may use both, so expect slightly higher power draw during extended video sessions.

Which Should You Buy?

  • Choose OIS if you value night and low-light photos and prefer minimal cropping.
  • Choose EIS if you prioritize cost, versatility across multiple lenses, and smooth video with software enhancements.
  • Choose hybrid OIS+EIS when available for the best all-round performance.

Buying Checklist

  • Check sample photos and video clips online for real-world stabilization.
  • Note marked field-of-view crop percentages for EIS and check whether 4K retains full width.
  • Look for action modes, gyro-based algorithms, and software update support.
  • Consider accessories like gimbals if you need pro-level stabilization beyond phone capability.

Bottom Line

OIS and EIS solve similar problems differently. For low-light photos, OIS is the clear advantage. For video flexibility and cost efficiency, EIS is strong. When you can, pick a phone that combines both for the most consistent results across photos and video.

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