"Point-and-shoot" is not a term I associate with digital camcorders.
When I try out a new one, the pointing and shooting usually has to wait until I take a few moments to learn the basic controls. If the video camera doesn't have its memory disk or tape installed, add several more minutes. And if I have to consult the manual, tack on at least an hour.
So much for instant memories.
But as I was wandering through the newsroom a few days ago, I came upon a going-away gathering for an editor named Betty who had been promoted and was moving to the Food section. She was about to give a goodbye speech.
I quickly pulled the new Pure Digital Point & Shoot Video Camcorder -- about the size of a deck of cards -- out of my shirt pocket, pressed the record button on the back and zoomed in to capture her heartfelt remarks.
There were only four buttons plus a rocker switch for the zoom on the back of the camcorder, so even I couldn't mess it up.
When Betty was done, I zoomed out to catch the applause from the crowd and then walked back to my desk. I plugged the camcorder into a USB port on my computer, and about a minute later I was e-mailing the clip to Betty's co-workers.
The age of instant and relatively inexpensive video has arrived. This camcorder, which came out this month from Pure Digital Technologies Inc. of San Francisco, costs only about $130.
There are drawbacks, the biggest being that the images are not up to the quality of those made by more expensive and complicated video cameras.
But it could be just the thing for someone who wants to capture vacation memories without dealing with a full-fledged video camera. It could also be a good choice as a work tool. For example, an employee in charge of finding new offices for a company could easily shoot video of various spaces and e-mail the clips back to headquarters.
This is not the camcorder you'd want to use to record a major family occasion or a company presentation aimed at impressing outsiders. Nevertheless, the images were quite viewable -- especially when shown uncompressed on a computer or television screen -- considering the compact profile and ease of use of the device. Indeed, from the moment I opened the Point & Shoot package until I sent off my first clips, I never consulted the manual.
Pure Digital also makes a disposable camcorder that came out last year. But at about $30, with processing an additional $13 at a drugstore, it's much less of a bargain for anyone wanting to shoot video on more than a few occasions.
