In the summer of 2003, Konica Minolta not only introduced the fourth generation of the DiMAGE 7 series with the DiMAGE A1, but also introduced a completety new system for image stabilisation. In contrast to the conventional optical image stabilising systems, Anti-Shake does not use movable optical elements to compensate for camera shake, it compensates for it by shifting the CCD.
In our first article about Anti-Shake we have introduced the basic advantages of the system. In the following, we want to give you an insight in the complex technology that is necessary for realising such a system.

For a focal length of 200 mm, this means that photos with a shutter release time of 1/60 seconds can be taken, without loosing sharpness. This, on the other hand, means, that Anti-Shake has not only to be able to detect the movement of the camera in 1/60 seconds (0,017 seconds), but that it also has to calculate the necessary compensation and to shift the CCD exactly the calculated value.

The CCD-mount is moved by piezo-motors, that have been developed especially for the Anti-Shake-System.

The CCD-mount has to be moved extremely fast and precisely to be able to counteract the camera movement. Regular electro-motors would be much too slow for this task, furthermore they would be too large and inaccurate. For that reason, for Anti-Shake the SIDM (Smooth Impact Drive Mechanism) has been developed. The SIDM uses a piezo-element that is, despite its extreme compact size, able to move the CCD mount fast and accurately.

The working-principle of piezo-elements is known from electronic lighters. If a piezo-element is exposed to pressure, a voltage arises. Electronic lighters use this voltage to generate the lighting spark.

But the effect can also be used the other way round:
If a voltage is applied to a piezo-element, it expands. If the voltage is withdrawn, it contracts to its normal size. The CCD-mount is shifted by expanding piezo-elements. If the piezo-element is contracting, the CCD-mount stops moving. To move the CCD-mount in the opposite direction, another piezo-element is necessary. This mechanism makes extreme and accurate shifting of the CCD-mount to the correct position feasible.

The operational range of conventional image stabilisation systems is located in a frequency-range between 1 and 15 Hz (oscillation). It is mainly dimensioned for large focal lengths, because in this case only small movements have to be compensated for. When having to deal with slower and larger movements, for example 1 to 2 Hz, the reaction time of this systems is comparatively high.
The Anti-Shake-system is able to work fast and effectively starting with a frequency of approximately 0,5 Hz, because it is able to move the CCD in relatively large distances. Thus the Konica Minolta is also suitable when using short focal lengths.

The Anti-Shake-system not only improves the sharpness of the pictures, it also makes it possible to choose a lower ISO-sensitivity for example. Like in analogue photography, the image quality is higher when using lower ISO-sensitivities.

When shooting with flash slow-sync, the Anti-Shake system can be of great help to the photographer. In many cases it is actually possible to work completely without a flash and to capture the natural mood of light without the sometimes disturbing artificial light.
Because the system is working completely in the background, the photographer is able to focus entirely on the subject.

The Konica Minolta Anti-Shake-system enables the photographer to make exposures that were previously not possible.