If you’re the type of photographer who never wants to miss a moment, then the Sony Party-Shot could be just the gadget for you. Owners of the latest TX1 and WX1 Cyber-shot models can couple their cameras with this handy little device, taking the pressure off themselves when charged with capturing the action at social gatherings. Simply place your Cyber-Shot in the cradle on top of the Party-Shot and it will automatically scan the room, intelligently following subjects as they move about the room and taking photos as the action unfolds.

The main benefit provided by the Party-Shot is its ability to capture more natural looking photos – before long people forget it’s there, so you avoid those awkwardly posed, stiff shots that you often end up with when pointing your camera at people – and you, the photographer, get to come out from the behind the lens and be a part of the memories you’re capturing too.

We tested the Party-Shot with the new Sony CyberShot TX1. This camera’s Intelligent Auto mode did most of the hard work, automatically adjusting the camera’s settings according to changing lighting conditions and subject positioning, with its Face Detection feature helping to keep track of human subjects. The TX1’s Smile Shutter feature also triggers the shutter whenever your subjects are looking their happiest – and because you’re not behind the camera, asking everyone to ‘say cheese’ - each grin is genuine. An effective gadget that works brilliantly.