I frequently read about turning off the Automatic Image Stabilization when using a tripod. Whats the benefit of this?

Kevin:

I once noticed when moving the camera very quickly on the tripod and then allowing it to focus on my subject -- a couple of seconds later the image on the screen would move to the left or right.

This occurred continuously while filming in a live situation and switching from camera to camera -- Camera movement on the tripod would have to be fast/quick for this to occur.

I think I posted this experience/problem on a forum, asking for help with this perplexing issue -- the response I got was to turn off automatic image stabilization -- it worked.

Just my two cents, you may certainly never encounter such issues depending on how you film and move the camera.

If your camcorder is on a tripod, it is unlikely that it is in need of image stabilization ... but any camcorder movement that you introduce, say a gentle creep pan, will be resisted by the stabilization system and so fight your intention. Typically, the system then recognizes you don't want that movement stabilized and releases it -- then tries again, then releases, repeat ... The result is a jerky pan, when you've done everything sensible to accomplish a smooth one. Except remember to turn off the stabilization ...

Cheers,
GB