Sony A-mount camera bodies have had 2-axis image stabilization since 2006. Now following the lead of Sony a7 Mark II mirrorless cameras, Sony a99 II (Pre-Order Here) brings 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Stabilization to A-Mount for the first time so that any lens you can mount on a99 II – even legacy glass – can be image stabilized for both for stills and video. [SPOILER ALERT: It does NOT require chipped lenses.]

Here’s how it works:

When using native A-mount lenses with an electronic connection select SteadyShot Adjustment > Auto

Manual SteadyShot Settings

Manual SteadyShot settings are available for lenses without electronic connections. This does not require a “chipped lens” (as others have speculated). You simply need to manually enter the lens focal length via a menu setting for optimal performance with any lens.

When using lenses without an electronic connection select SteadyShot Adjustment > Manual

Then choose SteadyShot Focal Length to manually select the correct focal length of the lens you’re using (available for 8mm-1000mm)

It’s worth mentioning what image stabilization can and cannot do. In Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) can allow you to shoot at slower shutter speeds without blur from camera movement – but it will not freeze subject movement. Image Stabilization won’t stop Usain Bolt in his tracks, but it will allow you to shoot images of a still subject in dim light at slower shutter speeds without camera movement.

Here’s 5-Axis Image Stabilization Works:

Pitch & Yaw Compensation:

Requires the awareness of focal length. It is available from the camera if either the lens provides the information or it’s inputted manually in the menu.

Roll Compensation:

Requires nothing from the lens, and is always available.

X/Y Compensation:

Requires awareness of both focal length and camera to subject distance (focal distance). Bear in mind that X/Y compensation can’t be provided by a lens (with one exception – see below). If the lens can’t communicate focal distance, then the camera can’t provide it. This is the case for almost all 3rd party lenses.

8-pin A-mount lenses:

Sony 8-pin A-mount lenses communicate focal length and focal distance to provide 5-axis Image Stabilization from the camera.

5-pin A-mount lenses:

Sony lenses, without ADI (Advanced Distance Integration) – the ones with 5 pins instead of 8 – can’t provide X/Y Compensation. Because of this, lenses like the SAL 16mm F2.8, SAL 20mm F2.8, SAL 28mm F2.8 and SAL 500mm F8 lenses only get Pitch, Yaw and Roll stabilization – which is one more axis (Roll) than SteadyShot on any previous Sony A-mount cameras.

Lenses without Electronic Communication:

Third-party lenses will receive 3-axis IS from the camera IBIS using manual focal length SteadyShot settings as explained above. Bear in mind that 3-axis IS is one axis more stabilization than what’s available with almost any other image stabilization system. Lens-based image stabilization only controls Pitch and Yaw – with the exception of the “Hybrid IS” Canon 100mm macro and Pentax SR-equipped cameras with 3-axis IBIS.

Image Stabilization and Tripods

Conventional wisdom when shooting on a tripod is turn turn off image stabilization. From a power consumption standpoint alone, it makes sense to turn off SteadyShot when shooting on a tripod.