Here is a comparison between three panoramic heads for GoPro Hero 5, Hero 6 and Hero 7: the Pano5+1 mk II, the Panohero H5B, and the iGo 720 VR. With these panoramic heads and a compatible GoPro, you’ll be able to take very high resolution (around 66mp) fully spherical 360 photos, with detail comparable to low-end DSLR panoramic photos, for under $500.
I compared the three panoramic heads by shooting photos with them with a GoPro Hero6. I then stitched the photos in PTGui. Here are the results.
Pano5+1 mkII
Pano 5+1 mk II (reviewed here) is a panoramic head for Hero5, Hero6, or Hero7. It also includes an adapter for Hero4. Here is a tutorial:
Here is a quick tutorial:
With respect to stitching quality, here is an analysis from PTGui showing ‘very good’ stitching:
Panohero H5B
Pano 5+1 mk II is a panoramic head for Hero5, Hero6, or Hero7. Here is a tutorial with an older model for Yi action cameras (Panohero H5B is very similar except you take 4 shots above and 4 shots below, i.e. 8 shots instead of 6 shots). Panohero H5B also has better stitching due to greater overlap compared to the older 6-shot Panohero.
Here is an updated tutorial:
With respect to stitching quality, here is an analysis from PTGui showing ‘very good’ stitching (with a bit lower control point distances than the Pano 5+1 mk II):
iGo 720 VR
iGo 720 VR is a panoramic head for Hero5, Hero6, or Hero7. It also includes an adapter for Hero4. To take a photo with the iGo 720 vR, you’ll need to take 12 shots (6 shots above and 6 shots below). Here is a tutorial by its distributor Stabilizer Pro:
Here is an analysis of its stitching quality:
Conclusion
Panohero H5B and Pano 5+1 mk II both have ‘very good’ stitching (Panohero’s stitching is slightly better than Pano 5+1). iGo 720 VR’s stitching is “good.” Because they have better stitching and because they require fewer shots, I would suggest Panohero or Pano 5+1. Between Panohero and Pano 5+1, Panohero is a bit easier to shoot with in my opinion, because you only need one panoramic head. However, the stitch lines are diagonal, which makes it harder to avoid the stitch line (it’s difficult to aim it in such a way that important objects will not have a stitch line). With Pano5+1, the angles are orthogonal, so avoiding the stitch line is easier.
Where to buy:
Thanks for supporting 360 Rumors at no additional cost to you by using these affiliate links:
GoPro Hero 7 Black
GoPro Hero 6 Black
GoPro Hero 5 Black (commercial packaging)
Pano5+1 Mk II
Panohero H5B (not an affiliate link)
iGo 720 VR (not an affiliate link)
Or for under $100, you can try my pano mount: https://seigimedia.com/2018/12/04/make-your-own-high-quality-immersive-experience/
Or for under $100, you can try my pano mount: https://seigimedia.com/2018/12/04/make-your-own-high-quality-immersive-experience/
thanks for the info!
neat concepts. I love higher resolution (than gp fusion), but you still have poor dynamic range of the small sensors. I *wish* gopro and sony action cameras had hdr mode (shutter speed bracketing of course).
Hi Mic. Thank you for your comparison. Which settings did you use for the GoPro camera? Did you shoot in Linear Mode or Wide View Mode?
thanks! you must shoot in wide view. if you shoot in linear, it won’t have enough overlap to stitch correctly
I have a panohero for my GoPro, works well and good results with PT Gui. Surpised me that a bit of cheap plastic would do that compared to my NN head, mind you a penny, piece of string and a bob weight works just as well!
Hi Neil! Yes I agree panohero and pano5+1 work quite well. I’ll try the string technique next time.