Camera Guide

Shoot with any camera.
Get a professional result.

Pick your camera type below for a step-by-step guide to capturing 360° images that work perfectly with Spherd. No proprietary hardware required.

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Already have a 360° camera? Start in the 360° Cameras tab. If you're new to this, the Insta360 X4 or Ricoh Theta Z1 are the industry favorites for real estate photography — pick your camera brand in the tab below for exact steps.
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Insta360 X5
The latest flagship — upgraded sensor and improved low-light over the X4
Native 360° No stitching needed Latest Model
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Upgrade from the X4: The X5 brings a larger sensor, improved dynamic range in mixed lighting situations, and better stabilization. If you're buying new today and budget isn't a constraint, this is the current top consumer 360° camera for real estate.
1
Set shooting mode
In the Insta360 app → Shooting Mode → 360° Photo. The X5 defaults to video — make sure you're in photo mode before starting a property shoot.
2
Lock white balance
Same as the X4 — never use Auto WB across multiple rooms. Set manually and lock for the whole property.
3
Export equirectangular
Export → Photo → Equirectangular at maximum resolution. The workflow is identical to the X4 — same app, same export settings, same upload to Spherd.
Export: Equirectangular JPG (max resolution) Result: ✅ Upload directly to Spherd
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Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch Edition
1-inch Leica sensor — premium image quality for luxury listings
Native 360° Leica sensor
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Best for luxury listings: The 1-inch co-engineered Leica sensor gives you noticeably better dynamic range and low-light performance than standard consumer 360° cameras. Ideal when image quality is a selling point.
1
Attach the 360° lens module
Swap to the dual-lens 360° module. The RS is modular — confirm you're in 360° mode, not wide-angle or action cam mode.
2
Shoot in RAW for high-end listings
Settings → Capture → RAW+JPEG. The 1-inch sensor's RAW files give you real editing headroom — adjust exposure, shadows, and highlights in Lightroom before exporting.
3
Export equirectangular from Insta360 app
Same export workflow as the X4. Export → Equirectangular JPG at max resolution → upload to Spherd.
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Ricoh Theta Z1
Industry standard for high-end real estate — 1-inch sensor, RAW output
Native 360° RAW support
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The professional's choice: The Z1 has been the luxury real estate standard for years. 23MP with a 1-inch sensor, exceptional low-light performance, and RAW support for Lightroom workflows.
1
Set shooting mode in Ricoh Theta app
Open the Ricoh Theta app → Camera → Photo. Set format to RAW+JPEG for editing control. Set white balance manually (not Auto).
2
Use the Theta app remote shutter
Connect via Bluetooth and trigger remotely — removes you from the frame entirely. Critical for clean professional shots.
3
Export JPEG — already equirectangular
The Theta Z1 outputs native equirectangular JPEG. No conversion needed. Transfer to your computer and upload directly to Spherd.
Output: equirectangular JPG (native) Resolution: 6720 × 3360 No stitching required Result: ✅ Upload directly to Spherd
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Ricoh Theta X
Touchscreen interface, high resolution — great for agents doing their own tours
Native 360° Touchscreen
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1
Set photo mode on-device
The X has a touchscreen — set White Balance manually and select Photo mode directly on the camera without needing the app.
2
Transfer via USB-C or Wi-Fi
Connect USB-C to your computer and transfer directly, or use the Theta app wireless transfer. Files are already equirectangular JPEGs.
3
Upload to Spherd
No conversion needed. Drag files into Spherd upload — the platform detects equirectangular format automatically.
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DJI Osmo 360
DJI's entry into dedicated 360° — strong stabilization and color science
Native 360° No stitching needed
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DJI's color advantage: If you already shoot with DJI drones or action cameras, you'll find the Osmo 360 fits naturally into your existing workflow and color grading pipeline. DJI's image processing produces vivid, punchy colors that work well for real estate marketing.
1
Shoot in Photo mode via DJI Mimo app
Open the DJI Mimo app → connect to Osmo 360 → select Photo mode. Set white balance manually — do not use Auto.
2
Export equirectangular from DJI Mimo
DJI Mimo handles the export and stitching. Export → Photo → Equirectangular format. Confirm the output is 2:1 aspect ratio before uploading.
DJI Mimo → Export → Equirectangular JPG Check: Width ÷ Height = 2.0 Result: ✅ Upload directly to Spherd
⚠ Confirm your export is set to Equirectangular — not DJI's proprietary format. Some export presets default to a format that won't display correctly in 360° viewers.
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Ricoh Theta SC2
Entry-level Ricoh — lowest barrier to entry, great for getting started
Native 360° Entry Level
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Best way to start with Ricoh: If you want to test the Ricoh ecosystem before investing in a Z1, the SC2 is a solid starting point. Simple one-button operation, native equirectangular output, and the same workflow you'd use with any other Ricoh Theta.
1
Set up via Ricoh Theta app
Connect via the Ricoh Theta app (iOS/Android). Set shooting to Photo mode. Set white balance manually — the SC2's Auto WB is less reliable than the Z1's.
2
Shoot and transfer
Remote trigger via app or use the shutter button with a 2-second delay. Transfer via the app wirelessly or USB-C to computer.
3
Upload directly — already equirectangular
Like all Ricoh Theta cameras, the SC2 outputs native equirectangular JPEG. No conversion needed — upload directly to Spherd.
Output: equirectangular JPG (native) No stitching required Result: ✅ Upload directly to Spherd
⚠ The SC2's smaller sensor struggles in darker rooms — ensure all lights are on and consider HDR mode if the camera supports it. For high-end listings, upgrade to the Z1 for significantly better low-light results.
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GoPro Max
Rugged and waterproof — works for real estate but requires an extra export step
Native 360° Extra export step
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⚠ The GoPro Max does NOT export equirectangular by default. You must use GoPro Player or the GoPro app to convert — do not skip this step or the upload will fail.
1
Shoot in 360° Photo mode
Set the Max to 360° mode (not Hero mode or TimeWarp). Shoot at maximum available resolution.
2
Convert with GoPro Player (critical)
Download GoPro Player (free). Open your .360 files → Export → Equirectangular. This is a required conversion step — the raw .360 format does not work in Spherd.
GoPro Player → Export → Equirectangular Format: JPG, maximum quality Result: ✅ Upload to Spherd
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Fisheye Lens + Panoramic Head
Highest image quality possible — works with any Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm body
Requires stitching 20–40 min/room
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Best image quality available: A full-frame body with a fisheye lens produces 360° images that exceed any dedicated 360° camera. The trade-off is time — expect 20–40 minutes per room including stitching. Only worth it if image quality is your primary differentiator.
1
Gear: fisheye lens + panoramic head
Mount a circular fisheye lens (8mm on full-frame, 8mm on APS-C) on your existing body. A nodal point / panoramic tripod head prevents parallax errors between frames. This is essential — a standard ball head will cause misaligned stitches.
2
Camera settings
Manual mode. Fixed white balance (never Auto). ISO as low as possible. Aperture f/8 for maximum sharpness. Use a remote shutter to avoid camera shake.
Mode: Manual WB: Fixed (e.g. 4500K) ISO: 100–400 Aperture: f/8 Shutter: Use remote trigger
3
Capture sequence
Rotate the panoramic head in equal increments. With a fisheye at 8mm you typically need 4–6 shots around the horizon, plus one nadir (floor) and optionally a zenith (ceiling) shot.
4
Stitch with PTGui or Hugin
Import all shots for one room into PTGui (fastest) or Hugin (free). Auto-align, check control points, then export as equirectangular JPG at 8000×4000px or higher.
PTGui: File → Add Images → Align → Create Panorama Output: Equirectangular JPG Width: 8000px minimum (10000px for luxury) Result: ✅ Upload to Spherd
Lens focal length
Shots/room
Setup time
Quality
8mm fisheye
4–6
15 min
★★★★★
14mm ultra-wide
10–12
25 min
★★★★★
24mm wide
18–22
40 min
★★★★☆
⚠ This workflow takes significantly more time per property than a dedicated 360° camera. It's recommended only if you already own the body and want maximum image quality for premium listings.
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Google Street View App
iOS & Android — the best free option to get started today
Free Auto-stitches
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1
Download Google Street View
Available free on iOS App Store and Google Play. Open the app and tap the camera button.
2
Tap Camera → Photosphere
Point your phone at each orange dot that appears on screen. The app guides you through capturing a complete sphere. Takes about 2–3 minutes per room.
3
Export the stitched image
After capture, the app stitches automatically. Export → Save to Camera Roll → the resulting equirectangular image uploads directly to Spherd.
⚠ Smartphone images are lower resolution than dedicated 360° cameras. Good for testing Spherd or basic listings — not recommended for professional delivery to high-end clients.
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360° Lens Attachment
Clip-on lenses for iPhone — much better quality than stitching apps
Native 360° Companion app required
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Recommended upgrade path: A clip-on 360° lens (Insta360 GO series for iPhone is the most popular) turns your phone into a proper 360° camera. Image quality is much better than the multi-shot stitching method and the workflow is just as simple.
1
Attach the 360° lens clip
Clip the lens onto your phone and open the companion app (e.g. Insta360 app). The app handles all settings and output automatically.
2
Capture in 360° Photo mode
One-tap capture — the dual lenses capture the full sphere simultaneously. Much faster than the Photosphere method.
3
Export equirectangular and upload
Export from the companion app → Equirectangular format → upload directly to Spherd.
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Standard iPhone Panorama
Does not work with Spherd — panoramas are not equirectangular
Not compatible
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⚠ iPhone Panorama mode produces a long horizontal strip — not a full 360° sphere. It will show black bars above and below in any 360° viewer. Use Google Street View's Photosphere mode instead, which captures the full sphere and exports as equirectangular.
Better alternative: Google Street View app (free, available on iOS) → Camera → Photosphere. Takes 2–3 minutes and produces a proper equirectangular image that works perfectly in Spherd.
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Hugin
Free and open source · Steeper learning curve than PTGui · Windows, Mac & Linux
Free Outputs equirectangular
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1
Load images
File → New Project → Add individual images. Hugin will prompt you to enter the lens field of view if it can't read it from EXIF.
2
Generate control points
Interface → Hugin Advanced → Feature Detection → run control point detector. Review and remove bad control points manually.
3
Set projection and export
Stitcher tab → Projection: Equirectangular. Set output size (8000×4000 minimum). Click Stitch to export.
Projection: Equirectangular Output: 8000 × 4000px JPEG Result: ✅ Upload to Spherd
⚠ Hugin requires more manual intervention than PTGui. Expect 5–15 minutes per room until you've learned the workflow. Recommended only if budget is a firm constraint.
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Adobe Lightroom Photomerge
Built into Lightroom — works for wide fisheye shots but has limitations
Check 2:1 output ratio
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1
Select all bracket shots for one room
In Lightroom Library, select all photos from one room. Right-click → Photo Merge → Panorama.
2
Choose Spherical projection
In the Panorama Merge Preview dialog, select Spherical projection. Do not use Cylindrical or Perspective — they will not produce a proper equirectangular output.
3
Export and verify the 2:1 ratio
Export as JPEG, maximum quality. Check the output dimensions — a valid equirectangular image must be exactly 2:1 (width is twice the height). If Lightroom crops differently, the image will render distorted in Spherd.
Export → JPEG, quality 95+ Check: Width ÷ Height = 2.0 Example valid: 8000 × 4000 ✅ Example invalid: 8000 × 3200 ✗ (will distort)
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Lighting
Turn on all lights — every lamp, overhead, and undercabinet. Turn off ceiling fans. Close blinds on windows facing direct sun to reduce blown highlights. Shoot during overcast days when possible — diffused natural light beats direct sun for interiors. Never mix color temperatures without adjusting WB.
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Camera Height & Position
Standard height: 5.5–6 feet (eye level). Center the room — the 360° image maps the full sphere from that point. Avoid corners: center placement reduces distortion of room proportions. For large rooms, shoot multiple positions and use Spherd's multi-hotspot navigation.
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Shot Count by Room Type
RoomPositionsReason
Living Room2–3Large, multiple seating views
Kitchen1–2Center shows island + appliances
Master Bedroom1–2Bed + en-suite door
Bedroom1Center captures everything
Bathroom1Doorway position best
Garage1Back wall shows depth
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Speed Workflow — 5 Rooms in 40 Minutes
With a dedicated 360° camera (Insta360 X4 or Ricoh Theta):

On-site (20–25 min): Set white balance once. Stage and shoot each room in sequence. 30 seconds capture per position. Don't review on-site — keep moving.

Transfer (5 min): Import all rooms via app or USB.

Upload (5–10 min): Drop all equirectangular exports into Spherd. AI floor plan generation runs automatically. Tour is ready to share.
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Complete On-Site Checklist
Everything to do before, during, and after your shoot
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Before entering
Set white balance to match interior lighting. Check battery (100%). Clear memory card. Confirm camera is in Photo / 360° mode, not video.
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First room
Turn on all lights. Turn off fans and TVs. Stage: straighten cushions, close toilet lids, clear counters. Set camera at center of room, 5.5–6ft high. Remote shutter. Check one image in app before continuing.
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Each subsequent room
Lights on. Stage quickly. Camera center. Shoot. Move on. Do not review every shot — trust the first test image. Speed is the goal.
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Exterior (optional)
Front entry and backyard/patio are high-value additions. Shoot at ground level for exterior — not elevated. Golden hour exterior + interior = premium package.
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Back at desk
Export all rooms as equirectangular JPEGs. Upload batch to Spherd. AI floor plan generates automatically. Tour live in under 30 seconds after upload. Send client the share link.
⚠️ Why Spherd exists — the proprietary camera trap

Other platforms lock you into their hardware.
Spherd doesn't.

Two major competitors require proprietary cameras before you can use their platform at all. The camera cost is the real barrier — not the subscription.

Matterport — 360° Camera Caveats
✗ Best results require Pro3 camera: $5,400
✗ Natively supported cameras: only Ricoh Theta Z1, Theta V, Insta360 ONE X — other cameras use an "Import 360" workaround with no quality guarantee
✗ Unsupported cameras may appear upside down, have poor image quality, or encounter other issues (per Matterport support docs)
✗ Models with any spherical camera scan cannot purchase BIM files
✗ Removed from Zillow, October 2024
iGUIDE — Camera Required
✗ PLANIX R1 camera: $2,499
✗ Cannot use your own camera — locked to PLANIX
✗ Pay before processing your first tour
✗ No styling options — one look only
✦ Spherd — Bring Your Own Camera
✓ Works with any 360° camera you already own
✓ Insta360, Ricoh Theta, GoPro Max — all compatible
✓ DSLR + fisheye + stitching — also compatible
✓ Even iPhone + Google Street View app works
✓ $0 hardware cost to start using Spherd today

Already have a 360° camera?
You're ready to start.

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