What Equipment Do You Need to Photograph a 360 Virtual Tour?
Before buying anything, know what the tour needs: a 2:1 equirectangular image. This guide covers the approaches, the supporting kit and when to hire a photographer.
By Immersiq Team · · 2 min read
You do not need a specific brand of camera to build a tour with Immersiq. You need a file in the right format. Start from that, then choose the kit that produces it comfortably.
The output you need
Immersiq takes equirectangular panoramas: the flat format for a full 360° image, with a 2:1 width-to-height ratio. Files should be JPEG, PNG or WebP, at least 2048 pixels wide (up to 16384) and no larger than 50 MB. The detailed list is in the panorama requirements. Anything that produces an image meeting those requirements will work.
Camera approaches
- A dedicated 360° camera. Captures the full sphere in one shot and usually exports a ready-made equirectangular image. It is the simplest route for most showrooms.
- A regular camera with a panoramic head. Several overlapping photos are taken from one point and combined in stitching software. It can give higher quality but takes more time and skill.
- Phone panorama apps. Some can output suitable images. Quality varies, so test before shooting a whole showroom.
Check that the result is genuinely a full sphere: Immersiq verifies the shape and size of an upload but cannot tell whether the image is a complete sphere, so use Preview.
Tripod and height
A tripod keeps the camera level and at a consistent height. A height around eye level suits most showrooms. A stable support also avoids blurred images in dim interiors.
Lighting
Even lighting matters more than the camera. Avoid strong backlight from windows, which can leave the interior dark. Turn on the showroom's lights and consider shooting at a time when daylight is soft.
Stitching and export
If your camera does not export an equirectangular image directly, you will need stitching software that does. Immersiq does not stitch photographs. Export at a size within the limits above.
When to hire a photographer
If the space is large, complex or high-end, or you simply lack time, hiring may be worth it. Give them the requirements above. If you want the whole tour built for you, see managed showroom setup.
For preparing the space itself, read how to prepare your showroom for 360° photography.
