Panorama Calculator
Calculate the number of shots needed for a panorama based on focal length and overlap. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Formula
Shots = ceil(Total Angle / (FOV x (1 - Overlap%))) + 1
The field of view per frame is calculated from focal length and sensor size. The step angle between shots equals the FOV multiplied by (1 minus overlap percentage). The total number of shots equals the total desired angle divided by the step angle, plus one for the initial frame, multiplied by the number of rows for multi-row panoramas.
Worked Examples
Example 1: 180-Degree Landscape Panorama
Problem:Calculate shots needed for a 180-degree panorama using a 50mm lens on full frame in portrait orientation with 30% overlap.
Solution:FOV per frame (portrait): 2 x atan(24 / (2 x 50)) x (180/pi) = 27.0 degrees horizontal\nStep angle: 27.0 x (1 - 0.30) = 18.9 degrees\nShots needed: ceil(180 / 18.9) + 1 = 11 shots\nOutput width: ~6000 x 0.7 x 11 = 46,200 pixels\nMegapixels: ~46,200 x 6,000 = 277 MP\nStorage: 11 x 25MB = 275MB RAW
Result:11 shots per row | ~277 megapixels | 275MB RAW storage
Example 2: Multi-Row Gigapixel Panorama
Problem:Calculate shots for a 360x90 degree panorama with 85mm lens, full frame, portrait orientation, 35% overlap, 3 rows.
Solution:FOV per frame (portrait): 2 x atan(24 / (2 x 85)) = 16.1 degrees horizontal\nStep angle: 16.1 x 0.65 = 10.5 degrees\nShots per row: ceil(360 / 10.5) + 1 = 36 shots\nTotal shots: 36 x 3 = 108 shots\nOutput: ~252,000 x 18,000 pixels = 4,536 MP (4.5 gigapixels)\nStorage: 108 x 25MB = 2.7GB
Result:108 total shots (36 per row x 3 rows) | ~4.5 gigapixels | 2.7GB RAW
Frequently Asked Questions
How much overlap should I use between panorama shots?
The standard recommendation is 25-35% overlap between adjacent frames for reliable stitching. At 30% overlap, stitching software has enough matching features to align frames accurately while minimizing the total number of shots needed. For scenes with low-detail areas like clear skies or uniform walls, increase overlap to 40-50% to give the stitching algorithm more data points to work with. Scenes with high detail and distinct features can work with as little as 20% overlap. If using a nodal point panoramic head for architecture, 30% is typically sufficient. For handheld panoramas where alignment may be imperfect, err toward 40% overlap as insurance against stitching errors.
What focal length is best for panorama photography?
The ideal focal length depends on your intended output and subject. Moderate focal lengths (35-85mm) are the sweet spot for most panoramas, offering good resolution per frame, manageable distortion, and reasonable shot counts. Wide-angle lenses (14-24mm) capture more per frame but introduce barrel distortion that complicates stitching and reduces edge sharpness. Telephoto lenses (100-200mm) produce extraordinarily detailed panoramas with thousands of megapixels but require many more shots and are sensitive to tripod vibration. A 50mm lens on full frame is an excellent general-purpose choice, providing sharp results with moderate distortion. For gigapixel panoramas, photographers use 200-400mm lenses with robotic panoramic heads.
How do I handle exposure differences across a wide panorama?
Wide panoramas often span different brightness zones, such as shooting from shadowed areas toward direct sunlight. The best approach is to lock exposure in manual mode at a setting that works reasonably for the entire scene, even if some areas are slightly over or under exposed. Alternatively, shoot bracketed exposures (3-5 brackets per position) and create an HDR panorama by first merging brackets into HDR files, then stitching the HDR images. Some software like PTGui can handle this workflow natively. Another technique is exposure blending in the stitching software, where each frame contributes its best-exposed regions. Avoid auto-exposure as it causes brightness shifts between frames that create visible banding in the final panorama.
What are the different panorama projection types and when should I use each?
Panorama projection types map the spherical capture onto a flat image. Cylindrical projection is best for 120-360 degree horizontal panoramas with limited vertical range, keeping horizontal lines straight while curving vertical lines at edges. Rectilinear projection keeps all straight lines straight but only works for panoramas up to about 120 degrees before extreme stretching occurs. Equirectangular projection maps the full 360x180 degree sphere onto a rectangle and is the standard for VR and immersive panoramas. Mercator projection is similar to cylindrical but handles poles better. Stereographic (little planet) projection creates a circular view looking down from above. Choose based on your field of view and whether maintaining straight lines is important for architectural subjects.
References
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy