Issues about video stabilization - iPhone 7 plus

It doesn't help that Apple's developer documentation is confusing on this issue as well (the ability to turn off the Optical Image Stabilization).

https://developer.apple.com/library/content/documentation/DeviceInformation/Refe rence/iOSDeviceCompatibility/Cameras/Cam… talks about the stabilization options.

The full software level added on is Cinematic Video Stabilization.

But even under what Apple refers to as Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), there appear to be some software level non-optical things at play as the setting parameter, preferredVideoStabilizationMode, indicates on some settings there will be delay in the video pipeline. This delay can only come from things other than the pure optical stabilization. But the docs suggest that setting this to OFF would disable OIS .. but that may not be accurate, or disabling (OFF) does not lock the lens into place.

In the end for video, the Apple documenation says "For video capture, the

AVCaptureConnection

preferredVideoStabilizationMode

So the OFF setting may well turn off the minimal software level of stabilization but not fully lock the lens to get a truely no-OIS result.

With any luck the next iPhone will have this addressed in the hardware (that a setting can physically lock the lense in place).

I have found a way to fix this using a magnet.

https://youtu.be/4QF_wh-NYnI

The Optical Image Stabilization in the iPhone 7 and 7 plus, causes catastrophic "jellification of the video when in a slightly vibrating or shaking environment, such as a car. Putting a magnet behind the lens stabilizes it.

This is not ideal. The focusing and OIS are constantly working when the magnet is in place, but for the most part, the overall improvement is night and day.

Apple, give us a switch for locking OIS.

I have the same issue, when I speak to apple they say 'we have never heard of this problem before' - obviously just trying to palm me off. It must be a hardware issue! I don't pay over £800 for a awful, untested product. Apple if you are reading this, I suggest you sort this out ASAP because I'm going to have to switch phones.

I've been noticing this as I use my iPhone 7 to record gigs (I'm a musician, and being to share performances is vital for me).

Each time the kick drum hits the video wobbles like crazy! It makes them unusable. Complete waste of time. Even at the far end of a venue (e.g. not right on the speakers or anything) using a good quality tripod. Insanely annoying.

This better get fixed.

I too have this problem, and it drives me crazy. With my iPhone 7 mounted on a sturdy tripod, any amount of bass frequencies in music (live or recorded) causes the iPhone's OIS to freak out, resulting in shaky, wavy, unusable video.

The selfie camera and 2x camera (on the iPhone 7 Plus) do not exhibit this problem at all - this is very clearly an issue with the OIS.

I wish that Apple would address this or at the very least acknowledge that this is an issue.

It's unfortunate as my iPhone 6S worked much better for recording music performances than my iPhone 7 does.

I visited the Genius Bar finally and they replaced my camera. This reduced the sharp chops when moving...but the jello video issue is still very much present. Disappointing. I've been using Filmic Pro to disable stabilization, but this isn't an ideal solution...at least not until more affordable electronic Gimbals are made available. I have a Moondog Labs Anamorphic lens that I basically can't use without a tripod.

Hi, I just came across your post as I just got an iphone 7 and was wondering if it is worth getting a gimbal or not - is the filmic pro app not solving the issue and making it usable? I am very interested ina gimbal+ the moondog adapter, but I am afraid to pull the trigger and then have only unusable garbage....

I know the osmo mobile gimbal conflicts with iPhone 7's internal stabilizer and has disappointed a lot of users. I wound up getting the full Osmo (not mobile, actual separate drone camera on gimbal and you use your phone as only the viewfinder) to overcome this. Unfortunately some aspects of the iPhone's stabilizer just can't be turned off. I really dislike it...

Just bought the Osmo Mobile... I have to bring it back for that reason.

Videos are useless due to the stabilizer conflict.

Kinda not happy with the apple employee that was really glad to sell me one for my iPhone 7

😟

I went to the genius bar, same thing, they've never heard of it before...

They changed the rear camera, the problem is still here.

They offered me a replacement with a new iPhone 7, but i tried the rear camera on 5 new iPhone with them, they all have the same problem, the OIS is ******.

The previous models don't have this problem because they have digital stabilizers, same as the front camera.

How can nobody have seen this problem that is so huge ?

I guess people only make videos while standing still.

<Edited by Host>

The OIS is great for still photo taking as it allows for better low-light still photos.

Its also good for the general users videos - as they do indeed stand still for the most part (because walking with a camera is always a problem).

Its unfortunate that those of us that do want to move around and use stabilizers hare caught in this issue of the iPhone design not having a software addressable hardware function to lock down the OIS for video.

Is the issue you're referring to similar to the one illustrated here? :

*** iPhone 8 Optical Stabilization Issue *** - YouTube

I got the very same issue with both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8.

Apparently there's no way to turn it off programmatically 😟

Similar to and probably yes

The inability to lock down the OIS on iPhones that have it means that gimbals which attempt to compensate for camera motion cannot counter the free movement if the optical lenses in cameras with OIS because even with OIS odd the lenses can still move when the phone is jostled. This manifests as slight jarring in footsteps with gimbal usage.

OIS is useful for lower light situations and still photography but the compromise is the movable lenses that cannot be locked I to place in apples implem is that somebody odd effects happen on footsteps.

I also have this issue with my phone and I am very disappointed about it. You described the problem very well, thank you.

Lots of wiggling on video recordings when mounted on my dash and never mind turning up my subwoofer... the music bass wiggles the image as if it was some kind of weird water wave effect lol... I can’t believe there is almost no reference to this issue online. I mean this phone is been out for a while so there is been plenty of time for the world to play w it by now... and the camera was supposed to be one of its biggest super hits. How come almost no one is complaining about this??

You should see the video recordings done when loud music bass or drums are playing. It’s a total joke. I can’t believe Apple gets away with this type o things... Don’t know about you guys but for me $800 USDis a lot of money...