Choosing a 360 Camera
Compare the cameras that shoot 360 panoramas, from a dual-lens rig to an action camera, and pick the one that fits your scenes.
You will leave this lesson with a clear choice between a dual-lens 360 camera, a stitching action camera and a flat-frame camera with a panoramic lens. The choice follows two questions: what you shoot and how often you publish.
The main types
Dual-lens cameras record two hemispheres with a fisheye lens each and join them inside the camera, which gives a ready equirectangular file. Action cameras stitch several flat frames, so they tolerate movement better. Flat-frame cameras keep the full frame detail but demand a more careful levelling.
- Dual-lens 360 — simple and robust, one file per press, fixed 2:1 output.
- Stitching action camera — better dynamic range, needs stillness during the shot.
- Flat-frame with panoramic lens — best detail, heaviest workflow, manual stitching.
Match the camera to the space
Rooms, show flats and small shops are best served by a dual-lens camera that you can hold at eye height with one hand. Outdoor scenery and properties with large halls benefit from a flat-frame camera. If you shoot both, keep the same 2:1 export so the project stays consistent.
Check the details before you buy
- Verify the resolution of the stitched output, not only the resolution of the sensor.
- Check the storage format and how long the battery lasts on a full shoot of a property.
- Confirm that the camera has a timer or a remote shutter, so you can stay out of the frame.
- Budget for a short tripod with a bubble level: accessories matter more than megapixels.
A 360 video camera is still useful. Export a single frame as a 2:1 image and use it as a scene — the platform accepts jpg, png and tiff in equirectangular projection.