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The Benefits of GFX IBIS

Steady yourself for better images – how GFX cameras’ in-body image stabilisation can make that happen

Back in the day, larger format cameras were impractically big, difficult to use, and limited in their practicality outside of the studio. With the GFX System, those days are gone. Smaller, lighter, weather sealed and operating much the same as a DSLR or mirrorless body, GFX cameras have convenience to match their quality. And one of the standout examples is in-body image stabilisation (IBIS).

As you’re no doubt aware, IBIS moves the sensor to compensate for unintentional camera movement, so along with the shutter’s shock absorption mechanism, it can be instrumental in getting the highest clarity from the G Format sensor. This means photographers can create sharper pictures without physically mounting the camera on a tripod, even at very slow shutter speeds. It also opens up low-light work – whether documenting weddings, capturing golden moments on a hike, or recording vibrant street scenes – especially at longer focal lengths where camera shake is more pronounced.

Stability becomes even more important with high-resolution sensors, like those in GFX cameras. As resolution rises, micro blur becomes evident. This is the same principle as camera shake being visible at longer focal lengths. The more pixels there are in the same area, the more likely any movement will be recorded as blur.

Which GFX cameras have IBIS and how does it work?

In the GFX System, three models have IBIS: GFX100, GFX100S and GFX50S II. Stabilisation is also provided by some lenses: GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR, GF100-200mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR, GF120mmF4 R LM OIS WR Macro or GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR, all of which have Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS).

The effectiveness of an IBIS system depends on several factors, including its sensitivity and accuracy in detecting camera shake, the range and type of motion the sensor can employ to offset that unwanted movement, and the size of the image circle created by the lens.

Instead of just pitch and yaw, as provided by optical lens-based image stabilisation, the GFX System’s image stabilisation allows movement across five axes: horizontal, vertical, roll, pitch and yaw. It’s therefore able to provide greater stabilisation than systems which operate on fewer axes. When combined with OIS lenses, pitch and yaw are usually taken care of by the lens, with the IBIS correcting the remaining axes.

Calculating the benefit of IBIS

Just like OIS, how much IBIS can compensate for camera shake is expressed in stops and relates to how much slower a shutter speed the photographer can theoretically use when hand holding the camera, while still getting a sharp image. GFX100 has a 5.5-stop benefit, GFX100S has a 6-stop benefit, while GFX50S II has a 6.5-stop benefit.

Taking GFX50S II, for example. This means, all other things being equal, you could expect the same sharpness at one second as you would at 1/90 sec. Of course, there are many more factors at play, including your ability to hold the camera steady, the focal length, and the environmental conditions, all of which can contribute to amplifying shake. What’s more, IBIS can only correct camera movement, not subject movement, that’s more visible the slower the shutter speed becomes.

Make the most of IBIS for stills

Though you can theoretically use IBIS to make pictures without a tripod at very slow shutter speeds, that’s not where the real benefit is. More useful is that IBIS improves resolution and sharpness at speeds like 1/50 sec, 1/80 sec or 1/100 sec and above, especially when handling is difficult. Fine detail is retained more readily, so images look like they were captured at much higher speeds. And being able to increase sharpness at slower speeds also means you can use smaller apertures for increased depth-of-field, or lower ISO settings.

IBIS is turned on via Shooting Setting > IS mode. From there it can be set to CONTINUOUS, where the stabilising effect is always present, even when following a subject or composing a view, or SHOOTING ONLY, where IS only activated when AF is engaged, or the shutter is triggered. You can also set IS mode to OFF. If you have an OIS-equipped lens mounted, and its OIS switch is set to OFF, the menu options will be switched off, too.

How IBIS helps with video

Though pro filmmakers will usually use dedicated motion accessories – like gimbals, dollies or sliders – with the obvious importance of smooth and even camera movement for video work, your GFX camera’s IBIS can also help. After switching to Movie mode, you can go to MOVIE SETTING > IS MODE. These settings are made independently of stills mode, and one won’t affect the other.

The IBIS/OIS option uses the sensor-shift mechanism, along with any optical stabilisation in the lens you’re using attached. Choose IBIS/OIS + DIS and you’ll add digital image stabilisation to the mix. This enhances the effect, but will crop the footage very slightly. Set OFF when no kind of IS required.

In Movie mode, you also get IS MODE BOOST. This further improves the smoothness of footage. There are two sub-options. ON is best when you’re photographing handheld from a static position; and OFF gives the best effect when panning or following a subject.

Pixel-Shift Multi-Shot mode

Combating camera shake isn’t the only way in which moving the sensor can help improve image detail and sharpness on your GFX camera. Pixel-Shift Multi-Shot is a drive mode that makes 16 separate exposures, using the IBIS mechanism to move the sensor by half a pixel each time. When combined in software, images shot on GFX50S II give a 200-megapixel RAW file, while images from GFX100 and GFX100S create a 400-megapixel RAW file.

To activate Pixel-Shift Multi-Shot mode, press the Drive button and select it from the available options. You’ll be asked to set an interval between each exposure. Set the shortest if you’re working in natural or continuous light. If using flash, make sure you set an interval giving enough recycle time between the exposures, or they’ll be unevenly lit.

For best results, the scene and the camera must be perfectly still, therefore Pixel-Shift Multi-Shot mode is primarily designed for archival and still-life photography. For instance, historical documents, artworks or products. But it can still be used to create amazingly detailed landscapes, architectural images, and interiors. Just try to choose scenes which have little or no moving elements and use the self-timer or a remote shutter release to avoid jogging the camera.

When not to use IBIS

In most situations IBIS can be left on, but there’s no need to use it if the camera is secured on a tripod or similar support. You can also switch it off in very bright light, when using fast shutter speeds, as its effect will be less pronounced than at lower speeds.

If you want to create the maximum motion blur – in abstract images that rely on intentional camera movement, for instance – it can also be switched off. This does not include panning shots, where IBIS can compensate for any vertical shake during horizontal movement and vice versa. Switching IBIS off also saves battery power, and removes any slight noise which can accompany it – useful if you need to be ultra-quiet.

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