I bought a small multi-section collapsible mono-pod for this type of scenario. It's relatively small and lightweight, and performs flawlessly in eliminating camera shake. Although it does nothing to stop framing the video at a slightly tilted angle. But that's within my ability to prevent.

I simply leave the camera attached and pickup and carry the entire setup to move to the next shot. And being a mono-pod, there's no need to do any leveling after it's been moved.

One reason they're so hard to hold still is they're so light. Less mass = less inertia.
Very hard to defy the laws of physics :(

Bob.

As Rory says, but also stand with legs apart to give a firm base and brace the body. If you are lucky enough to have an eye level viewfinder press this as tightly as you can against your face/glasses. If there's anything to lean against, use it. Then, buy a tripod, monopod or shoulder pod as this is the only sure way of guaranteeing steadiness.

Oh, where have all those eye level viewfinders gone. I much prefer them and you can always see what you are photographing even when the screen is unreadable because of the light conditions.

Good luck,

Richard

Good point about the eye level viewfinder Richard. Most of the small cameras just use an LCD screen now instead. When I watch most people shoot I see them holding the viewfinder in their left hand and the camera body in their right hand. Terrible way to hold a camera.

The monopods with the three folding legs work very well. I have one, but that is another inconvenient device to carry along that kind of defeats the purpose of the portability of using the small cameras.

Here are a couple of small devices that might be quite portable:

Revo SR-1000 Shoulder Support Rig

Vello VB-1000

This one looks really portable:

Manfrotto Modo Steady 585 Camera Support.

Anyone tried any of these?

John

I've been using something like this (I use a 1/4 bolt & some line string) for years:
http://www.instructables.com/id/String-Tripod/

I believe I got the idea from THIS forum!

I have an LCDVF with the magnetic attachment I use on my DSLR, mostly to see the screen better but it also helps steady things up. If, for some reason I end up with one of the little cameras I attach the LCDVF to the screen with a small piece of gaffer tape. Just pressing the camera back against the LCDVF and my face helps immensely and it also allows me to drop my elbows down against my chest. I've shot some amazingly steady footage with cameras like a Canon SX-230 using this setup. It probably looks funny but it works for me. I've also used it on the tiny little handcams and while you can't press back quite as much with the hinged screen it does give another point of contact to hold the camera.

One of my preferred cameras is the Sony TX55 at 3.8 oz (109g) - and as farss writes, with such a low mass one learns to use elbows, back of chairs, handrails in metros and whatever kinda stable thing that is around - plus keeping your breath, of course.
Real luxury is when you can screw-on a monopod - which helps a lot - also when it is not even extended :- )
Add to this that the camera has an astonishing active optical steadyshot function and you will enjoy some quite acceptable clips when you are at home again after some good weeks of travel.

For the last 6-7 years I have bought the very newest Sony Camera every year in the CX and the TX series in order to use their newest and quite notable improvements in stabilizing - and that really has been a great experience.
Unfortunately the development seems to have peaked a year or so ago for the smaller cameras - but I'm still buying the newest ones to try out their stabilizing and video/sound quality.
For safety's sake I just bought one of the last TX55s available from England (sold out in here) to have a spare - just in case :- )

Ah, well - you might wonder why ?? - but the video quality of the tiny Sony TX55 is actually equal to or better than my Sony CX 700.
It is hard to believe, sure, but taping both to a board and carrying them around several times for comparison does supports this :- ))

Here's what I use for a Sony CX 160. It's a vast improvement since my hand is too big to easily operate the record/zoom buttons on this tiny cam. Plus, it also serves as a table top tripod. About $60.

wwaag

I find http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-P-C-Pistol-Grip-Camera-Hand-Handle-for-DSLR-SLR-DC-Camera-Canon-camcorders-/330759290400?pt=UK_Photography_Straps_Hand_Grips&hash=item4d02ca3e20this[/link] simple pistol grip attachment helps a lot.

My GH3 has an EVF as well as the articulating screen. I am amazed at how much more steady I can hold the camera when it is pressed against my face and I am looking through the viewfinder.

craftech said, "When I watch most people shoot I see them holding the viewfinder in their left hand and the camera body in their right hand. Terrible way to hold a camera."

I must be an exception because I hold my small cameras that way and it actually works quite well for me.

Whatever works best for each person.

P.S. I have the shakiest hands in the west!

>I must be an exception because I hold my small cameras that way and it actually works quite well for me.

Me too. Even with the pistol grip shown in the photos, holding the edge of the LCD with my left hand improves stability.

wwag