Stabilization is Kind of Important for Sharper Images

Critically! especially when using telephoto for action shots. Wonderful reminder. Thanks for the post :)

While stabilization is important, there is a substitute; shutter speed.

Personally I hate tripods and find monopods almost as annoying. Good technique helps (I can handhold a 50mm lens at 1/30th second if I concentrate), but a fast shutter speed cancels most (not all) camera shake.

Good equipment helps too. You'd be surprised at the difference in camera shake between two different cameras at the same setting. A heavier camera will usually be more stable than a lighter one, while a mirrorless or rangefinder will often be better than an SLR (no mirror bouncing up and down).

Your mileage will vary, but for me, I prefer mirrorless and rangefinder cameras and the good old rule of 1/f shutter speed with f being the focal length of the lens rounded up to the next stop (eg. 1/60th with a 50mm, 1/250th with a 200mm).

Of course, I very rarely use telephoto lenses and even when I do, the longest lens I own is 200mm and the longest I use semi-regularly is 105mm, so its not much of an issue. 90% of my photography is between 28mm and 50mm.

Great article, I've thought of doing the same at bike shows but ran into the same issue with the crowds.
I've got issues being in crowds now so I do other types of shoots. With the exception of doing the Honor Flights I try to stay away from people pictures.