Creating panoramic photographs using photo-editing software or on-board digital camera software doesn't work too well. It requires a very steady hand and precise shooting.
For beginning photographers holding point-and-shoot digital cameras, it's an extremely difficult process to pull off successfully.
GigaPan Systems has given point-and-shoot photographers the ability to easily create 360-degree panoramic shots with its robotic camera mount, called the GigaPan EPIC. You simply mount your camera into the EPIC system and follow the step-by-step directions on the small screen. The EPIC system rotates the camera and shoots the photos. The system software then stitches them together.
The system is a very interesting concept, but it does have a couple of drawbacks. First, only certain models of cameras will fit in the system. You can check the list of compatible models at the GigaPan Web site. Second, while the EPIC system is easily portable, weighing less than 4 pounds, it does cost $379. For that price, you'd better have a lot of panoramic shots to create.
Photo courtesy GigaPan Systems
Comments
A much cheaper alternative is Micro$oft ICE (Image Composite Editor). It’s free, or at least was when I downloaded it last fall. I’ve used it to stitch up to 12 hand-held shots and have been very satisfied with the results.
I see it’s still available, as a download: http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/groups/ivm/ICE/
Bill