How to Share 360 Panoramas on Social Media
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@deebop
How to Capture and Share 360-Degree Panoramas
360-degree panoramas offer an immersive way to share experiences, whether that is a dramatic landscape, an interior space, or a behind-the-scenes look at an event. However, sharing them on social media has traditionally been difficult. Many platforms compress, flatten, or fail to display panoramas correctly, which removes much of the intended experience.
In this guide, we explain how to capture, prepare, and share 360 panoramas in a way that preserves their immersive quality.
What is a 360 panorama?
A 360 panorama, sometimes called a spherical panorama or photosphere, is an image that captures a complete view in all directions from a single point. When viewed with compatible software, the viewer can look around freely, creating an experience closer to standing in the scene rather than viewing a flat image.
How to capture 360 panoramas
Option 1: Dedicated 360 cameras
The most straightforward way to capture 360 content is with a dedicated camera. Popular options include:
Insta360 cameras such as the X4 or ONE RS
Ricoh Theta cameras, known for being compact and easy to use
GoPro MAX, which performs well for action and outdoor use
These cameras capture multiple viewpoints simultaneously and automatically stitch them into a single spherical image.
Option 2: Smartphone apps
If you do not own a 360 camera, many smartphones can still produce usable panoramas:
Google Street View allows users to create photospheres using guided capture
Built-in panorama modes in phone camera apps, although these usually create partial panoramas rather than full 360 images
Third-party apps such as DMD Panorama or Pano, which can assist with wider captures
Smartphone solutions are convenient but generally offer lower resolution and consistency than dedicated hardware.
Option 3: DSLR or mirrorless cameras with stitching
For the highest image quality, professionals often capture multiple images using a DSLR or mirrorless camera and stitch them together using software such as PTGui or Adobe Lightroom. This approach requires more planning and post-production but provides the greatest control over resolution and image quality.
Option 4: Drones (where permitted)
Drones can be used to capture striking 360 panoramas from elevated or otherwise inaccessible viewpoints. This is typically done by flying a drone to a fixed position and capturing multiple overlapping images, which are then stitched into a spherical panorama using dedicated software.
Common approaches include:
Automated panorama modes built into some drones, which capture a full sphere or wide panorama automatically
Manual capture, where the pilot rotates the drone incrementally and captures overlapping images for stitching later
Popular drones used for this purpose include models from DJI, which support automated panorama capture and high-resolution stills.
When capturing 360 panoramas with a drone, it is important to:
Follow all local aviation and privacy regulations
Maintain a stable hover to ensure clean stitching
Avoid moving subjects that may cause stitching artefacts
Be mindful of lighting conditions, as exposure differences can be more noticeable at altitude
Drone-based panoramas are particularly effective for landscapes, architecture, large venues, and environmental documentation, offering perspectives that are not possible from ground level.
Supported formats
360 panoramas are usually stored in one of the following formats:
Equirectangular projection, the most common format, appearing as a wide rectangular image
Cubemap, which uses six square images representing the faces of a cube
For sharing on Deebop, equirectangular JPG or PNG files are recommended. These images should have a 2:1 aspect ratio, for example 8000 × 4000 pixels.
Sharing 360 panoramas on Deebop
Unlike many social platforms, Deebop supports interactive 360 panoramas.
To share a panorama:
Create a new post using the plus button
Select your equirectangular panorama image
Deebop automatically detects the 360 format and enables interactive viewing
Add a description to provide context
Publish the post
Viewers can click or drag to look around, zoom in or out, and explore the scene interactively.
Tips for creating effective 360 content
Use a stable tripod to avoid stitching artefacts
Aim for even lighting, as harsh shadows can appear unnatural when wrapped around
Hide yourself from view using a timer or remote trigger
Choose scenes with interest in all directions, not just one focal point
Pay attention to the nadir, the area directly below the camera, which may require retouching
Best use cases for 360 panoramas
360 content works particularly well for:
Real estate and property tours
Travel and destination photography
Events and venue documentation
Nature and landscape photography
Behind-the-scenes content such as studio tours or workspace reveals
The viewing experience
On Deebop, 360 panoramas are displayed using Pannellum, an open-source panorama viewer. Viewers can:
Click and drag to look around
Use scroll or pinch gestures to zoom
View panoramas in full screen for maximum immersion
On supported mobile devices, use device orientation to explore the scene naturally
Get started
Ready to share your 360 panoramas? Create a Deebop account and start posting immersive content. With Creator, Pro, and Teams tiers, panoramas up to 100 MB are supported, helping preserve image quality and detail.
We look forward to seeing what you create.