Are you a 3D/360º Camera Manufacturer? The Must Have Killer Feature is ...

Hi All,

Which one 360º camera feature do I recommend for real estate photographers that is a must have when deciding which of 50 3D/360º cameras is right for you?

Answer: Platform(s) compatibility

For example, if you are considering using one of these platforms …

1. Cupix
2. EyeSpy360
3. Google Street View
4. Matterport
5. Panoskin
6. ThreeSixty Tours
7. RICOH Tours
8. Zillow 3D Home

… the list of 50 3D/360º cameras is likely narrowed down to:

1. Ricoh Theta V
2. Ricoh Theta Z1

After platform compatibility, I would look next for an easy, simple and faster workflow within the compatibility (which likely means that the camera has an API/SDK to be used by up to 130 3D/360º virtual tour hosting platforms to enable an easy, fast and simple workflow.

If you manufacture a 3D or 360º camera and your camera is not on this list (all except Ricoh), the number one must have feature is compatibility with 130 3D/360º virtual tour hosting platforms (and likely beginning with the eight virtual tour platforms above). The number two feature is an API/SDK to enable easy, fast and simple workflow by users.

For example, Matterport has an easy, fast and simple integration - workflow - with the three 360º cameras listed above (as well as the Insta360 One X and Leica BLK360). While you can use a Matterport Pro2 3D Camera to create Matterport Tours unfortunately, the Matterport Pro2 3D Camera does not have a seamless easy, fast and simple integration with the other hosting platforms listed above; except for Google Street View (which is temporarily unavailable - as of today (Thursday, 16 January 2020) – due to a Google Street View problem: not Matterport). (Yes. It’s possible to publish to a Matterport Tour to Google Street View and then import the Street View 360ºs to Panoskin and then publish to the other platforms, but that’s not an easy, fast or simple integration: just a workaround.)

But I digress …

So, if your target list of potential 3D/360º hosting platforms are all eight platforms listed above, as far as I know, the only two cameras are compatible are the Ricoh Theta V and Ricoh Theta Z1. The Insta360 One X is compatible with all the above - including RICOH Tours - but not Zillow 3D Home. If you are just starting out and budget conscience, you will likely pick the Ricoh Theta V. If you are quality conscience, you will likely pick the Ricoh Theta Z1.

Before you begin comparing features of 360º cameras – as tempting as this is – begin your camera purchase journey by deciding which 3D/360º hosting platform is right for you. And, if you are not sure - and want to keep your options open - then decide on which platforms that you might want to take for a spin.

If you think that Google Street View – by the mile (rather than by the SQ FT) – will ultimately be your primary hosting platform, then the cameras to consider are likely discussed here instead:

✓ 2020 is the year of Google Street View Blue Line Map Updates by Pros

If you are a 3D/360 Camera Manufacturer, and your camera is not among the cameras listed above – or in the “2020 is the year of…” article above, the must have killer feature is NOT a bigger sensor, longer battery life, more memory: it’s an easy, fast, simple and seamless workflow with the 3D/360º virtual tour hosting platforms and software that your target audience plans to use.

For you to be successful selling cameras to photographers, real estate agents and brokers, your camera must be compatible with Matterport and Zillow 3D Home. Then, go deep with the list of 130 3D/360º virtual tour platforms.

Camera Manufacturers: What’s holding you back from easy, fast, simple and seamless integrating your camera with these 130 3D/360º virtual tour platforms (and promoting it)?

Real Estate Photographers and Real Estate Agents/Brokers: What’s holding you back from buying a 3D/360º camera?

Best,

Dan