So, Your Lens or Camera Has Image Stabilization ?

I.S.,V.R. or whatever your camera or lens maker may call it
is indeed a wonderful thing. It is not however a substitute
for a tripod,monopod,bracing against a wall or tree to get your shot. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve the sharpness or clarity of your photos is to use a tripod or other means to brace or steady your camera.
   My longest telephoto lens for my dSLR has I.S.,it's great and I like it a lot. I still shoot the lens mostly from a monopod. The difference between shots using the monopod and I.S. and just I.S. is readily noticeable. My compact camera has very good I.S. built in. If I'm taking anything more than a snapshot, I use a monopod with it or a tripod. Again, the difference between a braced shot and an unbraced one is easy to see.
Many nature photos fall into one of the following three groups, and each has its reasons for using a tripod, monopod or some other form of brace.
Telephoto shots of birds or animals. That telephoto lens or super zoom on your camera can make it seem like you are a LOT closer to your subject than you are. It also makes any movement by you much easier to see in the form of blurry shots.
Wide landscape shots where you want the entire scene to appear in focus from the front of the shot to the back. That usually requires stopping the aperture down, which in turn lowers our shutter speed making any movement by you more noticeable.
Macro's or closeups. These shots are taken so close to the subject that any motion will blur the shot. These shots usually require stopping down the aperture as well, again resulting in a slower shutter speed and requiring more stability on your part to keep the images sharp.
    Most of us have a camera in mind that we would like to move up to. We are sure our photos would be better if we just had that camera. Get and start using a tripod or monopod instead. Your shots will improve instantly. You will get in the habit of using them and carry that habit on when you do get that new camera. It's one of the best photo habits to have. There is a lot of info out there about choosing a tripod. One rule of thumb to remember is a lighter camera can get by with a lighter, usually less expensive tripod. My light tripod bought at a "big box" store works fine for my compact camera. I wouldn't even consider putting my dSLR with a telephoto lens on it. On the other hand, if I'm only going to be shooting the compact, I don't need to be lugging my heavy tripod around. Choose your tripod for what your needs and uses are. But do get one and start using it if you want to improve your photos. A sharp shot from a $200 camera is far better than a blurry one from a $2000 camera.