After much research (e.g. talking with friends and scouring websites), I purchased a little Canon PowerShot Elph, and the thing is a wonder to behold — others. Its small size, its ability to take very vivid, beautiful photos of even unextraordinary events is fine. It’s a wonder because it so easily captures life, the passing glimpses of active faces and bodies, in digital video. With a push of one top-mounted button, the default memory card records about 1.5 vainglorious minutes of moving sights and synchronized sounds. To me, it’s as if the Lumiere brothers had come to visit, with their great-great grandchildren in tow.
Here’s a gratuitous link to the Canon Camera Museum.