The invention relates to a device and a method for generating a panoramic layer image (1, 2) of an object (3) to be imaged, by employing a 2D panoramic X-ray device, wherein the object is imaged by projecting X-rays (6) generated by an X-ray source (7) through the object (3) in a projection direction (8) and recording said X-rays (6) with an X-ray detector (9), wherein several 2D X-ray projection images are continuously recorded from various imaging directions while the X-ray source (7) and the X-ray detector (9) move around the object (3), wherein at least one panoramic layer image (1, 2) is calculated from the recorded 2D X-ray projection images by means of a reconstruction method. The panoramic layer image (2) is calculated by selecting and employing at least one partial area (50, 52, 55, 57, 65) from at least two 2D X-ray projection images (51) in relation to an active sensor area (73).