Parallax is the apparent displacement of an object when viewed from a different angle. This principle is especially useful in determining depth by comparing the apparent displacement of objects at variable distances from the camera; the closer objects appearing to move more rapidly than the further objects.

Parallax is most discernible during panning and tracking shots, giving dynamic depth to the image. In order to imitate this effect in animation, Disney invented a multiplane animation camera that could move different layers in a shot at different speeds.