Parallax Error

Parallax error describes the apparent shift of near objects relative to more distant ones when the viewpoint changes between two frames. If the camera is rotated around a point other than the lens's nodal point, foreground and background shift by different amounts.

During stitching this means that overlapping areas cannot be brought into exact registration – offset edges and ghosting appear. The effect is especially pronounced in subjects containing both near and far elements.

Parallax error is avoided by rotating the camera precisely around the nodal point, ideally with a suitable panoramic head.