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Why don't more people use camcorders with image stabilizer?
I love watching homemade videos and Youtube, but the problem is that a lot people still use the crappy camera with no image stabilizers, so a lot of the images are very shakey and blurry. Whats up with that? Steadycams nowadays are very common and cheap. Why don't MORE people use steadycams (or cameras with image stabilizers)? I don't understand it. It would certainly improve the quality and look of their videos.
in my opinion:
1) Camcorders can have no image stabilization, electronic stabilization or optical stabilization. Since humans were not meant to be still, there is no amount of camera/camcorder image stabilization that will allow a steady shot when the camera is handheld for long periods (anything over 8 seconds).
2) Many of the "shakey and blurry" video you see is captured by folks who probably have not even read the camera/camcorder manual. That is fairly apparent by many of the questions in this forum (though not yours). Consequently, there is no understanding that in order for a steady shot, the camera needs to be steady.
3) Since most folks don't even use the stabilization properly (electronic or optical), the manufacturers have removed the capability. This can allow the camera/camcorder to be smaller, and reduces cost to manufacturer and price of the camera/camcorder. And many of the posters here are always looking for "cheapest" then get frustrated because they got what they asked for. And the resulting video they post shows.
4) "SteadyCam" (external) stabilizers don't fit in a pocket like many DSC point and shoot cameras and many low-end camcorders. Lots of people prefer to be more portable - so no extra stuff (no monopod, no tripod, no shoulder-mount, etc.).
5) As more cell phones are sold with video, expect the phenomenon you have observed to get worse.
6) There are many who do take videography a bit more seriously. Check many of the posts at vimeo.com.
7) Every time someone asks how to capture better quality video, I tell them pretty much the same thing:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjplpIXLEC0dgy_E.DQTESbsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100928185656AAXTvAj&show=7#profile-info-wJjXhM4Aaa
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ahr7axvZLm4_b1AnSuiUwEzty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100924172730AAgODUg&show=7#profile-info-pW6hB5huaa
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