Digital image stabilization

Z

zimagold

Member
On any other camera, this wouldn't be a feature even worth considering. But when you have a 4K sensor, you can do some pretty aggressive image stabilization when shooting at 2K (or lower resolution). In effect, the area being recorded would be bouncing around inside the 4K image sensor. The software can work with some sort of motion sensor built into the camera that detects tilt or shake, and compensate effectively. If the algorithm is really good, you might be able to get steadicam-like footage without hardware stabilizers.

This idea assumes that when recording at less than 4K, the camera will use only a part of the image sensor (resulting in a crop factor for your effective focal length), rather than down-rezzing the 4K image. Of course, this option would not be available when recording at full 4K rez.
 
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One problem... once the image being recorded is moved the lense would also have to move with it or you'd get popping black bars on the sides.
 
Are you sure about that? Consider the frame size of 4520x2540 (4k). Now if you are recording at 1920x1080, you have A LOT of room to move around without hitting the edges and seeing "black bars". Also, the software can be programmed to not exceed limits so that the edges won't come in.

Below is a quick diagrammatic representation of a high-def image inside a 4K sensor.

4k.jpg
 
Better do this in post because yo will have more control. You even might use some stored data of a motion sensor.
 
I'm just wondering what kind of processing power would be needed for calculating that amount of data. Think of how long it takes to render just HD video with stabilize effect. You won't see that in RED for $17k for sure.
At least in near future.
 
I wouldn't trade quality for stabilization. Better use a Glidecam. The advantage of using the whole 4k chip to produce a quality downsampled 1080p should not be underestimated.
 
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