Camera stabilizer

{{Short description|Device which prevents unwanted camera motion}}

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File:Filming with handheld camera stabilizer.jpg

File:Camera stabilizer used in a low-angle shot.ogv]]

A camera stabilizer, or camera-stabilizing mount, is a device designed to hold a camera in a manner that prevents or compensates for unwanted camera movement, such as "camera shake".

For small hand-held cameras, a harness or contoured frame steadies the camera against the photographer's body. In some models, the camera mount is on an arm that protrudes in front of the photographer; beneath the camera is a handle grip. Another variation positions the camera atop a fulcrum brace against the photographer's chest or abdomen.

To compensate for camera instability caused by the movement of the operator's body, camera operator Garrett Brown invented the Steadicam, a body-mounted stabilization apparatus for motion picture cameras, which uses springs as shock absorbers.

In 1991, Martin Philip Stevens{{Efn|Born in England, 1963}} invented a hand-held camera stabilizer for motion-picture and video cameras, called the Glidecam.

File:Curt O. Schaller - Steadicam Operator - Entwickler und Designer der artemis-Reihe von Sachtler.jpg

In 2001 Sachtler and Curt O. Schaller launched the artemis camera stabilizer system at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. The artemis systems were the first modular camera stabilizer systems in the world. In addition, the artemis HD systems were the first Full HD camera stabilizer systems worldwide.{{cite web| url=https://britishcinematographer.co.uk/curt-o-schaller-awarded-scientific-and-technical-award-for-the-arri-trinity-2-camera-stabiliser-system/| title=Curt O. Schaller awarded Scientific and Technical Award for the ARRI TRINITY 2 camera stabiliser system| date=February 11, 2025| publisher=britishcinematographer.co.uk| access-date=February 18, 2025}}{{cite web| url=https://schaller-media.de/curt-o-schaller/| title=Curt O. Schaller, Academy Award winner: ARTEMIS & TRINITY developer| publisher=schaller-media.de| access-date=February 18, 2025}} The Trinity system developed by Curt O. Schaller together with Roman Foltyn in 2015, is the first camera stabilizer system in the world that combines a mechanical stabilization system with an electronic one. In April 2016, ARRI acquired the artemis camera stabilizer systems developed by Curt O. Schaller from Sachtler.{{cite web|url=http://www.fdtimes.com/2016/05/02/arri-artemis-trinity-stabilizergimbal-video/|title=ARRI Artemis Trinity Stabilizer/Gimbal Video|date=2 May 2016|publisher=Film and Digital Times|accessdate=7 June 2016|archive-date=24 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624024405/http://www.fdtimes.com/2016/05/02/arri-artemis-trinity-stabilizergimbal-video/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://nofilmschool.com/2016/04/arri-artemis-trinity|title=Is the ARRI Artemis Trinity the World's Most Advanced Camera Stabilizer?|date=25 April 2016|publisher=No Film School|accessdate=7 June 2016|archive-date=30 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530055537/http://nofilmschool.com/2016/04/arri-artemis-trinity|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.studiodaily.com/2016/05/arri-debuts-final-version-of-trinity-stabilizer-and-maxima-gimbal/|title=ARRI Debuts Final Version of Trinity Stabilizer and Maxima Gimbal|date=6 May 2016|publisher=Studio Daily|accessdate=7 June 2016|archive-date=10 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510063957/http://www.studiodaily.com/2016/05/arri-debuts-final-version-of-trinity-stabilizer-and-maxima-gimbal/|url-status=live}} In 2022, the second generation of the Trinity, the Arri Trinity 2, followed. In 2025, Curt O. Schaller and Roman Foltyn were awarded the Academy Scientific and Engineering Award: Curt Schaller for the concept, design and development of the Trinity 2 system and Roman Foltyn for the software and hardware design of its motorized stabilized head.{{cite web| url=https://press.oscars.org/news/14-scientific-and-technical-achievements-be-honored-academy-awardsr| title=14 SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENTS TO BE HONORED WITH ACADEMY AWARDS| date=January 27, 2025| publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences| access-date=February 7, 2025}}{{cite web| url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/oscars-academy-sci-tech-winners-moves-ceremony-april-1236269617/| title=Oscars: Academy Names Sci Tech Winners Including Statuette For Captioning, Moves Fires-Postponed Ceremony To Late April| date=January 27, 2025| publisher=Deadline Hollywood| access-date=February 7, 2025}}{{cite web| url=https://britishcinematographer.co.uk/curt-o-schaller-awarded-scientific-and-technical-award-for-the-arri-trinity-2-camera-stabiliser-system/| title=Curt O. Schaller awarded Scientific and Technical Award for the ARRI TRINITY 2 camera stabiliser system| date=February 11, 2025| publisher=britishcinematographer.co.uk| access-date=February 18, 2025}}

Since approx. 2015, it is common to stabilize moving cameras with remote controlled camera heads. The camera and lens are mounted in a remote controlled camera holder which is then mounted on a moving dolly, such as rail systems, cable suspended dollys, cars or helicopters. For example the Newton stabilized remote head{{cite web |title=Newton stabilized camera head |url=https://newtonnordic.com/newton-s2-stabilized-remote-head/ |accessdate=8 January 2020 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117102557/https://newtonnordic.com/newton-s2-stabilized-remote-head/ |url-status=live }} is broadly used to stabilize moving TV cameras at live broadcast of sports and events.

Some camera stabilization machines use gyroscopes to sense disruptive motion.

File:NEWTON stabilized camera head on a RTS rail system at Beyonce tour 2018.jpg

Although a tripod can hold a camera stably, stationary platforms are not regarded as camera stabilizers.