A recent update to DaVinci Resolve and their Pocket series added the ability to use the in-camera gyro information to stabilize the footage in post. This is similar to what we saw with some Sony cinema cameras over the past couple of years.
The promise of post stabilization with gyro data is that it can be incredibly effective and natural-looking. Considering this is the first time we have seen this from Blackmagic there are some questions about just how good it can be.
Filmmaker michael tobin jumped right into testing this feature and put together a video showing off the results. If you are curious about using this yourself check it out.
Gyro stabilization is now available in the latest version of Resolve 18 and works with every camera currently in the Pocket line:
- Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
- Pocket Cinema Camera 6K
- Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2
- Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro
It is very simple to access. All you have to do is pull footage from any of the above cameras into Resolve, head over to the inspector panel and turn Stabilization on.
In the Mode dropdown you still now see “Camera Gyro” as an option. You can still adjust Strength and zoom but the rest of the settings will be locked. Then just hit stabilize.
One note is that it only works on clips that were recorded after updating your camera to the latest firmware—this is not going to revitalize your footage from a year ago. Apparently, while the hardware was there it wasn’t actually being recorded to the footage.
Image Credit: Blackmagic Design
Michael went and shot some quick new test footage handheld with a 45mm lens and without any gimbals or extra help.
Working handheld there were a lot of micro jitters in the test footage. The gyro stabilization definitely lessened the impact of these jitters but did not eliminate it. This footage is still far from ideal. For the more static shots with less jitter it does do a very good job.
One thing to consider is that the stabilization does look natural. It isn’t too aggressively stabilizing the footage and introducing weird warping or smearing. Also, if you are using a wider lens you should get better results.
I could see this being beneficial in combination with a physical stabilizer, such as getting rid of a little bit of bumpiness with gimbal footage or even tripod use where you are following moving subjects.
What do you think of Blackmagic’s gyro stabilization?
[source: michael tobin]
Order Links:
- Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio (B&H, Amazon)
- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (B&H, Amazon)
- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (B&H, Amazon)
- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2 (B&H, Amazon)
- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro (B&H, Amazon)
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