Acratech Panoramic Review

The Acratech Panoramic head is a pan-tilt head designed specifically for taking panoramic images.  Despite the name, there is no technical or practical reason why the Acratech Panoramic can’t be used as a normal pan-tilt device.  In fact, as of this writing the Acratech is by far the stiffest, and incidentally also the lightest, pan tilt device I have tested.  There is just one catch.  The Panoramic doesn’t have a third axis of motion to level the camera out.

NameAcratech Panoramic
TypePan Tilt
Stiffness About Vertical Axis6774 +/- 59 Nm/rad
Stiffness About Radial Axis3293 +/- 22 Nm/rad
Retail Price$420
Weight0.959 lbs (0.435 kgs)
Manufacturer weight rating25 lbs (11.34kgs)
Maximum Height3.4 in (8.6 cm)
Base Diameter2.3 in (5.8 cm)
Ball DiameterN/A mm
Tension Controlyes
Panning Lockyes
Quick ReleaseArca Clamp