A while back CIPA introduced a new standard for image stabilization that will make it easier to compare the IS/VR effectiveness between different lenses/cameras and manufacturers. Today Nikon published a new Nikkor lens VR performance table according to the new CIPA standards:
| FX Nikkor Lenses | VR Performance in stops (CIPA standard) |
| AF-S Micro NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED | 3.0 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II | 3.0 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II | 3.0 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR | 3.0 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR | 3.0 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR | 2.5 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f5.6E FL ED VR | 4.5 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 800mm + AF-S TELECONVERTER TC800-1.25E ED | 4.0 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR | 2.5 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR | 4.0 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR | 3.5 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR | 3.5 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II | 3.5 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR | 4.0 |
| AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED | 2.5 |
| AF VR Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED | 2.0 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR | 4.0 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II | 3.0 |
| DX Nikkor Lenses | VR Performance in stops (CIPA standard) |
| AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR | 3.0 |
| AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR | 3.5 |
| AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR | 3.5 |
| AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR | 3.0 |
| AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR | 3.5 |
| AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II | 3.5 |
| AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED | 3.0 |
| AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR | 3.0 |
Longer focal length lenses tend to have a Vibration Reduction (VR) function to compensate for image blur caused by camera shake. The function is built into the lens itself and is not camera dependent. When VR is not used a fast shutter speed is required to prevent image blur. When VR is active, slower shutter speeds can be used to produce an image without blur. The effectiveness of the VR function is measured in terms of how many shutter speed ‘stops’ advantage VR provides over normal use without VR.
From the 1st July, 2013 CIPA introduce a standard for Image Stabilization preformance for Digital Cameras. Nikon comply to this standard together with other manufacturers. The CIPA standard allows users to compare product VR performance in a way that is easy to understand.
This change means that VR performance figures (number of ‘stops’) provided in Nikkor lens product documentation and user manuals before 1st July 2013 may differ from the CIPA VR performance figures provided below.
I have not seen any data from other manufacturers, but it will be interesting to do some comparisons.
Source: Nikon EU
