Dual IS

Dual IS is Panasonic's system for coordinating lens optical image stabilisation with body in-body image stabilisation. In a standard setup, OIS in the lens and IBIS in the body each use their own gyroscope data independently. Dual IS establishes a communication link between lens and body so they share motion data and divide the correction work. The lens OIS typically handles pitch and yaw corrections, while the body IBIS handles roll and shift corrections, avoiding duplication and improving overall effectiveness.

Dual IS 2 is an updated version introduced with later Panasonic cameras and lenses, using a revised algorithm that improves correction particularly at slow shutter speeds and during video. Dual IS 2 requires both a compatible body and a compatible lens. Using a Dual IS 2 lens on a body that only supports the original Dual IS falls back to the earlier version. Support depends on both hardware and firmware, and Panasonic has extended Dual IS 2 compatibility to some older bodies through firmware updates.

Dual IS is specific to Panasonic M43 bodies. When a Dual IS compatible lens is used on an OM System or Olympus body, the lens OIS operates independently as standard optical stabilisation without any coordination with the body. The coordination protocol is proprietary to Panasonic and is not supported by other M43 manufacturers. Third-party M43 lenses that include OIS generally do not support the Dual IS coordination protocol either.

The Dual IS Checker tool on m43lab lets you verify whether a specific Panasonic body and lens combination supports Dual IS or Dual IS 2. Not all Panasonic bodies and lenses with both OIS and IBIS support the coordinated system. Support requires specific firmware versions and hardware capability on both sides of the combination.