How does the image stabilization of your action camera work?

Image stabilization is a technology an action camera uses to prevent motion blur caused by movements. Generally, action cameras have electronic image stabilization. This means that a sensor in the action camera detects motion while you record. The software analyzes the movements and corrects them to get as smooth footage as possible. In some cases, enabling the image stabilization also means a crop factor. This makes the image angle of your recordings smaller.

HyperSmooth is the electronic image stabilization in GoPro action cameras. As the name suggests, this function ensures stable and smooth images during the coolest actions. You can use this function in 3 settings. The 'On' settings provides regular image stabilization with a minimal crop factor. With this, you still see some movement. In the 'High' settings, the image is stabilized even more and you lose about 10% of the image angle. For the best stabilization, set the camera to 'Boost'. Your images are now incredibly stable, but they're also cropped.

The DJI Osmo Action 2 has RockSteady image stabilization. Just like with the GoPro, this is a software-based image stabilization that detects motion via an algorithm. The software compensates the vibrations and stabilizes the image while you record. You can enable RockSteady yourself via the menu of the camera. When you record a slow motion or time-lapse video, RockSteady won't work. In the 1080-pixel recording mode, the Osmo Action also has a HorizonSteady setting. This way, the horizon stays straight and is aligned in your recordings.

The Insta360 action cameras have some type of image stabilization. The brand calls it FlowState Stabilization. There's a sensor in the camera that measures movements over 6 different axis. The software compensates for these movements, which makes the footage smooth as a result. This way, you can focus on the action and the action camera does the rest.