Are lenses with IS/VR less sharp?

I just heard a popular Youtuber say that lenses with built-in image stabilization are not as inherently sharp as lenses without IS. Something to do with the floating elements inside IS lenses--they supposedly reduce sharpness IQ. He said this is why the new Canon RF 85mm 1.2 does not come with IS, so that it can retain maximum sharpness..


True?

texshooter wrote in post #19022080
I just heard a popular Youtuber say that lenses with built-in image stabilization are not as inherently sharp as lenses without IS. Something to do with the floating elements inside IS lenses--they supposedly reduce sharpness IQ. He said this is why the new Canon RF 85mm 1.2 does not come with IS, so that it can retain maximum sharpness..


True?

False, in fact 8 of the top 10 sharpest Canon lenses rated by DXO have IS (EF and RF combined), but not all RF lenses have been tested out yet. I still don't think that is going to change too much of this equation, it might make it 50/50 at worst case.

I read long ago that there could be some compromises to sharpness, because the floating element placement can conflict with the optimum location of the aperture. As well, those moving elements will be in different places laterally because they move, and those places are not all equally sharp. So depending on the instant the picture is taken, sharpness could be affected.

While there might be truth to this in some cases, I note that the 100-400mm II with IS is one of the sharpest lenses Canon makes, just as sharp as the 400mm prime without IS.

In practice, I don't think anybody worries about this.

when the Canon 70-200mm f/4 L IS launched, photozone.de tested it...they had previously tested the non-IS f/4 lens
when the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS launched, photozone.de tested it...they had previously tested the non-IS f/2.8 lens

In BOTH CASES, the IS lens had more detail resolution (higher MTF scores) than the older lenses of the same max aperture!!!

texshooter wrote in post #19022080
I just heard a popular Youtuber say...

I would have said," Stop right there. Don't listen to another word."

This is one of those questions where I think it is important to recognise that theory and practice can be very different. It might well be that 'theoretically', lenses with IS are compromised in some way that affects sharpness, simply on the basis of physics.

But for me, what counts more is real-world 'practical' outcomes. In this case, it seems that any difference in sharpness is too small to be material and, in any case, the benefits of IS in terms of reducing camera motion blur more than compensate in terms of 'apparent sharpness'.

So, theoretically - Yes.
Practically - No. Perhaps even the opposite, because IS helps to produce a sharper image by reducing camera motion blur.

dangermoney wrote in post #19022198
I would have said," Stop right there. Don't listen to another word."

fro knows photo

Wilt wrote in post #19022094
when the Canon 70-200mm f/4 L IS launched, photozone.de tested it...they had previously tested the non-IS f/4 lens
when the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS launched, photozone.de tested it...they had previously tested the non-IS f/2.8 lens

In BOTH CASES, the IS lens had more detail resolution (higher MTF scores) than the older lenses of the same max aperture!!!

yeah but.

but they were also redesigned lenses so that doesn't mean anything.

I do think if you are worried about lens sharpness these days and are testing for it you may have mental issues

ed rader wrote in post #19022513
yeah but.

but they were also redesigned lenses so that doesn't mean anything.

I do think if you are worried about lens sharpness these days and are testing for it you may have mental issues

... but the point was that objective testing by the same test group showed improvement in the IS lens MTF, which is contrary to what OP heard!

Wilt wrote in post #19022514
... but the point was that objective testing by the same test group showed improvement in the IS lens MTF, which is contrary to what OP heard!

The f4 IS version has more elements in different groups so it's more than just IS that changed. I agree with ED that you are forcing a comparison of apples and oranges. The IS lenses are sharper because they are newer more complex designs. The you tuber may have had a theoretical point but it falls apart in reality because there are no lenses that have is added to an old lens without a significant upgrade optically.

gonzogolf wrote in post #19022520
The f4 IS version has more elements in different groups so it's more than just IS that changed. I agree with ED that you are forcing a comparison of apples and oranges. The IS lenses are sharper because they are newer more complex designs. The you tuber may have had a theoretical point but it falls apart in reality because there are no lenses that have is added to an old lens without a significant upgrade optically.

I am forcing a comparison of apples and oranges?! I am reporting what was done many years ago, without me suggesting the comparison! In any event, it was not a 'comparison', it was two consecutive tests with MTF values reported in each test, a standard report of ALL lenses tested by photozone.de

Wilt wrote in post #19022528
I am forcing a comparison of apples and oranges?! I am reporting what was done many years ago, without me suggesting the comparison! In any event, it was not a 'comparison', it was two consecutive tests with MTF values reported in each test, a standard report of ALL lenses tested by photozone.de

I think what you are saying is muddying the waters wilt.

Wilt wrote in post #19022528
I am forcing a comparison of apples and oranges?! I am reporting what was done many years ago, without me suggesting the comparison! In any event, it was not a 'comparison', it was two consecutive tests with MTF values reported in each test, a standard report of ALL lenses tested by photozone.de

The only thing is those lenses being compared have in common is focal length and paint color.

Again as mentioned, DXO shows that 8 of the top 10 sharpest EF/RF lenses they tested have IS. That pretty much nails it for me.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #19022578
Again as mentioned, DXO shows that 8 of the top 10 sharpest EF/RF lenses they tested have IS. That pretty much nails it for me.

which of course does not mean that IS/VR does not effect lens sharpness