What is the difference between IBIS and lens OIS?
IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) moves the sensor inside the camera body. OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) moves a lens element inside the lens barrel. Both compensate for camera shake, but they work differently, have different strengths, and are most effective when used together.
How each system works
IBIS: The sensor floats on a moving platform inside the body. Gyroscopes detect shake, and the platform shifts the sensor to compensate. Works with any attached lens.
OIS (also called IS, VR, or OSS): A floating lens element inside the lens barrel shifts to redirect light and compensate for shake. Only works on lenses that have IS built in.
Both systems use gyroscopes and electromagnetic actuators, but they correct shake at different points in the optical path.
Strengths of each system
IBIS is better at: Rotation (roll) correction, shift correction (X/Y movement), and working with unstabilized lenses. Every lens benefits from IBIS.
OIS is better at: Long telephoto stabilization. At 200mm+, small movements create large image shifts. Correcting this in the lens (before the image reaches the sensor) is more effective.
Combined is best: When both work together (Canon’s coordinated IS, Sony’s combined system), the lens handles angular corrections and the body handles rotational and shift corrections. This achieves 7-8 stops.
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Do you need both?
If your camera has IBIS, unstabilized lenses still work well. You do not need to buy IS versions of every lens. IBIS alone provides 4-6 stops.
For telephoto work (100mm+), having lens OIS in addition to IBIS provides the best results because telephoto magnifies shake beyond what IBIS alone can handle.
For wide-angle and normal lenses, IBIS alone is usually sufficient. Lens OIS is less critical at short focal lengths.
For video, the combination of IBIS + OIS produces the smoothest handheld footage.
When buying lenses for a body with IBIS, you can often save money by choosing the non-IS version of a lens — your body stabilization covers it. Put the savings toward better optical quality instead.