Automated event photographer
August 10, 2009 by Robin Parrish
Filed under Electronics
Imagine being able to set up your camera on a base station at a party — and the camera moves itself, searching the crowd for smiling faces and taking the photos for you.
The flying saucer-shaped Sony Party-Shot for your Sony WX1 or TX1 camera pans a full 360 degrees and tilts up to 24 degrees, auto-detecting picturesque moments, self-adjusting the frame’s composition, and taking all the photos for you.
The Party-Shot runs on AA batteries, enabling it to run for up to 10 hours straight — which is a lot more than you’ll need, since neither of the digital cameras it’s made to operate will run nearly that long, non-stop. The device is priced at $149.99.
I’m on the fence on this one. It seems like it could be a cool party accessory, but also kind of like a novelty that could lose its charm quickly. Is being in your own party photos really worth $150?
Image: Sony Electronics.
I could see the benefit of this kind of device more for conferences, trade shows and larger parties. Being in your own photos isn’t the important part, it’s sit-and-forget about the task. I’d have to wait to see the collection of photos that were taken from the device before passing full judgment.