Discover how to get the most out of your Canon PowerShot PX

The Canon PowerShot PX is like having your own personal photographer and videographer. Whether you're hosting a party or using it as a webcam, the compact PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) camera captures moments automatically. Just set it up on a flat surface or tripod, turn it on, and, when it recognises a face, it'll begin intelligently shooting photos and videos all by itself. It's battery-powered and its lens covers an extensive pan, tilt and zoom range.

That leaves you free to enjoy the moment – not to mention be part of the action yourself – without the pressure of having to act as photographer or filmmaker. There's no need to spend hours sifting through the photos and videos to pick out the ones you want either. Everything on the PowerShot PX's memory card is displayed on the Connect app for Mini PTZ Cam on your smartphone, so you can manually select your favourites to transfer and share on social. It's also clever enough to recommend the best images and clips, saving you time and effort.

Check out the video below for more information on how to get your Canon PowerShot PX set up and ready to go.

There's a lot more to the Canon PowerShot PX than mere convenience, though – you just need to know its strengths.

Here are a range of ways that you and your loved ones can make the most of this clever camera's special skills, and tips for making the most of its features in each situation.

Planning a party? The Canon PowerShot PX is ideal for documenting social events and family gatherings. While a selfie stick's range extends just a few feet from the user, the PowerShot PX can be placed further away to capture the entire scene.

Set up the PowerShot PX before your guests arrive, positioning it at eye level on a flat, stable surface overlooking where people will be gathering and ensuring that the scene is well-lit and there is nothing obstructing its panning arc.

You can then leave the camera to do the work for you. Using facial recognition technology, it will pan, tilt and zoom for the best compositions, ensure groups of partygoers are all in shot, and automatically correct images for distortion.

Want a little more control? The Connect app for Mini PTZ Cam enables you to set the camera to prioritise faces, such as the person you're hosting a party for, and then sort images by subject.

And there's no need to worry about running out of space. If the camera's microSD card fills up, there's an image auto delete option that lets you keep on shooting. The oldest images will be deleted first, but it won't remove any of your favourites.

If you're a budding baker, artist or other creative seeking a better way to document your crafty accomplishments, the Canon PowerShot PX is the answer.

Its autonomous shooting capabilities make it the ideal camera companion for capturing you when your hands are busy or messy – if you're wrist-deep in cake batter or wielding a brush and palette, the last thing you want to worry about is operating a camera. With voice commands, you're the director: just say "Hello, Pixie" to wake up the camera, "Start recording" to begin shooting a clip or "Take a picture" to snap a still photo, then "Stop" to end automatic shooting*.

For keen social media stars who want to get their movies online with a minimum of fuss, the Canon PowerShot PX could be the key to overnight success on social channels such as YouTube.

When using the camera's automatic shooting function, its pan, tilt and zoom capabilities can add eye-catching effects to your clips. Depending on the conditions, the camera will automatically perform wide-angle pans, multi-pans (scanning for people standing next to each other – ideal when you're performing with a friend or two), or simple in-out zooms and frame-ins (moving to frame people from outside the view).

If you're shooting remotely, a firmware upgrade, which you can download via the Connect app for Mini PTZ Cam, adds a Tracking assist function, which enables you to capture a moving subject even if they are not facing the camera. You can start filming via the app's shooting screen, or by assigning the shooting function to the camera's Wireless communication button.

The PowerShot PX's tiny, lightweight size means it can be placed in almost any location. To get a prime angle, consider using a tripod. There's a standard mount on the base of the camera, so you can manoeuvre it into the perfect position and get on with your jumps and tricks safe in the knowledge that it's stable and getting all the action in frame.