Written by Sanne
Edited on
19 January 2024
·
15:37
What's the difference between 2-axis or 3-axis image stabilization for drones?
If you want to buy a drone, you can choose from various models. In addition to image quality and flight time, the drones also differ in the refinement of the image stabilization. Some drones have 2-axis image stabilization, and others have 3 axis. I'll explain the differences between the 2 options in this article.
What does the image stabilization of a drone mean?
A drone can fly freely in the sky. Unlike a regular camera, a drone doesn't rest on a sturdy surface. This makes a drone very unstable. The image stabilization counters the effect of unexpected movements. That happens with countermovements of the mechanisms in the drone. This compensates movements that disturb the image. As a result, the recordings of your drone will look smooth.
What's the difference between 2-axis and 3-axis image stabilization?
The mechanism that compensates movements with countermovements is built into a gimbal. When the drone tilts, the gimbal tries to keep the camera level. There are gimbals with 2 and 3-axis image stabilization. The first gimbal track everything on a horizontal and vertical axis. This way, it can track right and left movements and up and down movements. With a 3-axis image stabilization, it also tracks rotations around the axis.
Which image stabilization should I choose?
Your recording is smoother if the movements are compensated along more axes. A 2-axis image stabilizer correct unexpected movements pretty well. But if you want to be sure of smooth images, choose a drone with a 3-axis image stabilization. This way, you can still make good recordings if it's a bit windy. This is a must for professional recordings. For hobbyists who still want to practice, a 2-axis image stabilizer is often enough.
