Final Project Proposal

The Sony NEX series of mirrorless cameras have an ablity of creating panoramic photographs by holding the camera shutter down and slowly panning the camera across the target. The panorama result is obtained by internally digitally "stitching" the images taken by the camera as it is panned. The operation is constrained by 2 factors:

  1. the speed at which the camera is panned, and
  2. the duration of the panning (approx. 4 seconds)
More often, than not, the action fails as either the camera is panned too quickly or a non-optimised duration shot is taken.

My proposal is to build a platform which will hold the camera, and rotate it such that an optimum solution is reached. All the user has to do is to point to the center of the panorama and push a button. A microcontroller will calculate the optimum pan from the center position, rotate the camera to the leftmost position and start the operation. The platform will now automatically rotate the camera at an optimum speed such that the maximum visual selection is done.

In order to take the panoramic shot, a manual shutter release is done, however, on the NEX 6000 series, this operation can also be done with an infra-red remote control. The microcontroller will also take care of this operation.

Problems with current camera situation

Incomplete Scan
Incomplete panoramic scan done by the camera, note the black portion at the right end
Complete Scan
Complete Scan, if done properly, gives a complete view

Pictures taken at the top of Mt. Bromo, Indonesia during a LeX session

Technologies used:

  • Laser cutting horizontal platform building
  • 3D design and fabrication to hold the camera body and/or moulding
  • Microcontroller operations for calculations and digital control
  • Infra-red interfacing and networking
  • Motor control and positioning.
Please refer to the following concept sketch of the project.

Ideas to think about


  • Pistol grip to hold motor & batteries (Ref: thingiverse)
  • Mechanical rotation instead of batteries

Not being of a artistic mind, I have shamelessly borrowed this template (simpleStyle_8) from html5webtemplates, in recognition of a simple, cool and functional webpage design.