Innovative technologies based on visual displays such as Virtual Reality (VR), tablets, or smartphones are gaining popularity in several domains including training, education, entertainment, or research. However, many users of visual technologies can experience side effects associated with visually induced motion sickness (VIMS), characterized by nausea, disorientation, or eyestrain. The goal of the present study was to investigate how individual factors (biological sex, field dependence) and stimulus characteristics (speed, image realism) affect VIMS in younger and older adults. Ninety-three healthy volunteers participated in this study, including 48 younger and 45 older adults. Participants were exposed to a rotating 360° panoramic photograph presented on three monitors. The stimulus varied with regards to image realism (intact photograph vs. scrambled version) and speed (slower vs. faster). Field dependence and cognitive abilities were measured at baseline, and VIMS was captured via the Fast Motion Sickness scale (FMS) and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). Results showed that younger adults reported significantly higher FMS scores compared to older adults. VIMS was also higher when the stimulus was intact and moved faster, and women reported more VIMS compared to men. Additionally, correlations suggested that increased VIMS was associated with increased field dependence and decreased selective attention ability in younger adults. Overall, our findings suggest that both stimulus characteristics and individual factors can impact VIMS, with potential age-related differences.