360 degree cameras are 2 dimensional. 3D cameras go the extra step and actually map the 3-dimensional space of a home. And they are more than just a neat way for buyers to virtually tour the home.

They are also useful for creating floorplans and even fairly precisely measuring the square footage of a home – often a number that is hard to pin down for some homes and markets. Some markets even have strict rules regarding reporting square feet that can make a 3D mapping tool not just a nicety but a necessity.

Best 3D Tour Companies

Matterport

Matterport Pro3 3D cameras are the industry leader in virtual tours and walkthroughs.  In addition to the startup price tag for the equipment, you pay a monthly hosting fee to keep your tours in the Matterport cloud.

The results are fantastic. This is probably your camera if you are looking to be a professional real estate photographer. Not only do you get the 3D model, but it also makes a complete floorplan in Cubicasa with dimensions of the home when you are finished!

Real estate photography pros can join the Matterport Service Partner program, a network of professional Matterport photographers available to local agents.

It is easy to use with automated scanning. A house can be scanned in 1-2 hours. You can pull stills from the camera as well for use as your still photography with the Digital Pro product launched in 2022.

There are two different price tiers – Professional and Business. Either involve the $5995 hardware purchase, but Professional is $55/mo, while Business is $269/mo necessary for larger businesses. Most Realtors and professionals will find the Professional plan more than adequate.

Matterport is expanding their products by supporting 360 cameras as well. You can now make 360 tours on your iPhone with Matterport.

iGuide

Not so fast!

Matterport does have a competitor from the Great White North.

Planitar has the iGUIDE immersive 3D mapping camera, just like Matterport. But iGUIDE uses a DSLR camera which gives photographers much more control over the picture quality. They also claim to be able to get through the home much faster – as quickly at 30 minutes for a 3D scan of a 2500 sqft home, generating all the floor plan, room dimensions, and 3D tour imagery. Faster mappings mean more homes and more money for professional real estate photographers!

In addition to being able to map and measure the house, the premium iGUIDE plan includes being able to map fixtures on the floorplan, like the stove and cabinets in the kitchen, enabling would-be-buyers to better visualize the space. It also includes the VR compatible 3D tours.

The startup cost is significantly less than Matterport at $2699 for the hardware, the iGuide PLANIX Pro.

iGuide has additional add-ons available for purchase like their own dollhouse and floorplan options paid per project.

360 Degree vs 3D

What’s the difference between 360-degree cameras and 3D real estate photography?

360 cameras shoot every angle from a specific spot. But the picture is still 2 dimensional and cannot measure spaces or create dollhouse views of a home.

360 cameras can create both a 360 photo or shoot in 360 video.

Meanwhile, 3D photography tools like Matterport and iGUIDE are significantly more expensive. But unlike 360-degree cameras, they can actually map the house as they go through, turning the home into a virtual space. This allows for more freedom and interesting applications, like accurate floorplans and dollhouse views.

These terms can be confusing, as some products like Zillow 3D Homes are actually just 360 degree panoramas and not 3D imaging technology.

Video vs Photo

The advantage of 360-degree cameras over 3D photo stills is that 360 cameras can record video, rather than picture stills.

They can also record audio, which means that you can easily use a 360 camera for your marketing. You can include yourself in your listing tour and talk up the home as you walk through, or use it more generally in your marketing while out and about in your community.

You can even use 360 cameras for Facebook Live videos, a major benefit for socially savvy agents.

Find a Professional

You don’t have to do it yourself!

Matterport, iGuide, and Asteroom all have networks of photographers who are prepared to complete your photography for you.

In fact, I believe unless you are a team or a broker, you are better off outsourcing your photography and videography. Focus on your core competency which should be real estate sales! (The exception is using 360 cameras for personally branded Facebook Live home tours, marketing shorts, etc).

Here are some video, photography, and tours services or directories where you can find the local professionals to do it right.

Conclusion

What once was technology available only to commercial brokers and luxury listings is now democratized and fairly affordable to the masses. The new 360-degree cameras open up numerous new opportunities for real estate agents to supercharge their real estate marketing and real estate listing game.

3D real estate cameras are only going to continue to grow in prominence as well, I believe, making the homebuyer search more and more navigable and thorough.

Updated March 22, 2024; Originally published October 17, 2018