Sony's Party-shot personal photographer attaches to a tripod, rotates 360 degrees, and commands your camera to take pictures while you sit back and enjoy a brewskie with your buddies.
This has to be one of the oddest photo accessories to come along in quite a while. A tripod-mounted camera dock that pans 360 degrees, tilts 24 degrees, searching for people to photograph. When it detects faces, it shoots. The Sony Party-shot Personal Photograhper, which will be available in September for about $150 and is compatible with the just-announced DSC-WX1 and DSC-TX1 Sony digital cameras, is real ice-breaker at parties. Just mount it on a tripod, set it, forget it, and go get a drink or something.
For details, read the Sony press release:
Sony Unveils Party-Shot: An Automatic Photographer
SAN DIEGO – Sony today introduced the Party-shot™ personal photographer (model IPT-DS1)—an innovative camera dock that pans 360 degrees and tilts 24 degrees, automatically detects faces, adjusts composition and takes photos for you.
The Party-shot camera accessory uses the camera's BIONZ™ image processor with its Face Detection and Smile Shutter™ features to take photos without the user needing to snap the shutter button. This device makes it easy to capture more natural expressions and fun, candid moments of you, your family and friends without having to hire a photographer.
“With the Party-shot personal photographer, you no longer have to worry about taking photos when you are with your family or friends,” said Shigehiko Nakayama, digital imaging accessories product manager at Sony Electronics. “Party-shot captures candid moments that tell natural life stories and also offers a new style of photography that enriches time with your family and friends.”
Compatible with the DSC-WX1 and DSC-TX1 Cyber-shot® digital cameras, the Party-shot camera accessory is mountable on nearly any tripod, so you can set it up in a convenient location in your home, especially when you are entertaining. With two AA batteries, the Party-shot camera accessory captures photos for up to 11 hours and is portable, so you can enjoy taking pictures outdoors. You can also use an AC adaptor (sold separately).
