The Sony Z1 has three types of steadyshot. You can select between HARD - NORMAL and WIDE . However, I do no see any difference between them when I select them. Are they really 3 different types of steadyshot?

See page 60 of the Z1 operator's manual for detailed descriptions of each mode.

That's exactly what I did when I first bought the camera a month ago. They talk about different types of steadyshot but in practice I do not see any difference whatsoever. That's why i was asking.

I agree, when viewed on the camera LCD there is no apparent effect of using the various steadyshot options. It has been suggested to me (by the salesman who sold me the camera who had also observed the same lack of effect) that this is something to do with the LCD display though I cannot see how it would be.

Andrew Hall

I think the various differences are pretty subtle but they're there. You might need to review your video on a decent monitor instead of the cam's LCD display in order to discern the difference.

I really doubt this is the case. I shoot with higher end cameras, Digibetas, Varicams with stabilizers on the lens and you can see the obvious stabilizing method. I think this is just a subtle difference which may not be much of a difference in practice with the Z1. This is my feeling now. Or they could be there just as a gimmick. Sony has done that in the past with other things so I wouldnt be surprised.

Try this and you will see the difference between the mode.
Put the camera on a tripod and pan and then make a sudden stop, you will see that the hard mode will not stop right away and keep going for a little more.

Good point, that is why I tell my customers to always turn off the OIS on the Panasonic AGDVX100A when on a tripod, so that the camera becomes more responsive. That is an excellent test!

Ok, thanks for the suggestion. I was just wishing that the hard mode was similar to the excellent stabilizer that Canon puts in its camera lenses. But this is not the case. Even the hard mode is not superior to Canon's. And don't take me wrong as I am an all Sony guy.

<<<-- Originally posted by Khoi Pham : Try this and you will see the difference between the mode.
Put the camera on a tripod and pan and then make a sudden stop, you will see that the hard mode will not stop right away and keep going for a little more. -->>>