Is it better to use automatic with OIS on or off when I hold my camcorder to film in church? I will be sitting on a stool to the side so I do not get tired. I hope to use a good not automatic setting if that is okay?

The great thing about optical image stabilization is that there is no picture degradation compared to DIS and EIS. The only time I disengage OIS is when I'm on a tripod with noticeable panning.

I agree with Tommy about leaving it on while shooting "hand-held."

I still don't know what the difference is between DIS and EIS. Tommy?

Fred, if you want to be a professional, consider buying a good video tripod and head. Watching "hand-held" footage is usually unwatchable because of all the shaking.

IMO DIS and EIS are the same. DIS should stand for Digital Image Stabilisation and EIS is for Electronic Image Stabilisation.

I classify DIS and EIS together but there are differences between each and even more differences between manufacturers.

DIS - samples the entire CCD and then removes a stable picture. Works well on the pixel heavy cams although it may be disabled in 16:9 and/or still mode.

EIS - employs sensors to detect movement and then compensates. Sony uses this in their Super Steady Shot.

OIS - a prism that moves opposite of cam shaking

The TRV950 uses both EIS and OIS while the GS70 combines DIS and EIS (referred to at D.E.I.S).

How utterly confusing!

Thanks, Tommy.

Tommy Haupfear thank you for the answer. I will be using OIS and not in automatic mode.