NOTE: This article was first published in 2003. Since the technology has been advancing rapidly, facts, views and opinions expressed here may be outdated.

 

Introduction

• Film
• Digital
• Conclusion

Film

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::: Film is an analog medium, so it doesn't have "pixels" per se. The finest films (which are ‘slow’ and need a lot of (sun)light or flash, e.g. ISO 25, have very fine grains. Finer grains means more grains per inch. Your image could show more detail which allows you to enlarge you picture to a bigger size without visible deterioration. A 35mm film can potentially contain between 10 an 15 mega pixels worth of resolution (approx. 4500 x 3000 pixels) . If you are really going obtain all the advantages of this resolution will depend on the lighting conditions and especially on quality of the optics used. Currently the latest generation of Pro Digital Cameras are reaching these resolutions, but only at prices that are 5 to 10 times the price of an equivalent analog (film) camera.

::: Next to pixel count (resolution or ISO rating) there is also the other thing to consider. On a film, as it is a analog medium, each grain can be set to display any color, color intensity and brightness. On a digital camera digital camera this is limited by the "colordepth" as each pixel can be set to a limited number of levels. More on this at the digital part of this comparisation.

::: If you want to get the maximum out of the advantage of film you need to use the best optics you can get for your camera system. Cheap optics can have a low resolving power due to imperfections in the glass quality and the coatings used. Also sharpness, brightness and contrast depend strongly on the quality of your lenses.

::: An important consideration is that you don't know how good your images are until they are processed at the lab. Furthermore you have to pay for all your pictures whether the are good or bad. There is also little you can do to post process your shot unless you have access to a well equipped darkroom.

 

Digital

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::: Currently (Oct.2003), the highest resolution available is 14 mega pixels with a very expensive professional camera. But 6 Mega-pixel pro-sumer digital SLR cameras can already be obtained for around $1500,-. These SLR cameras are capable of producing a 3000 x 2000 pixels image. This is obvious far less than the resolution film, but only if you are comparing it with the finest grain films and with the lenses with the highest resolving power. On the other end however, a 6 MP image is more than capable of producing a A4 size image.

::: Digital SLR cameras have a larger image sensors than the average pocket digicams. It is fair to say that a digital SLR produces a better image than a pocket camera with the same resolution. There are two major reasons for this. First of all, the larger image sensor of an SLR is less sensitive for stray electrical signals. A smaller sized sensor produces more ‘noise’. This can be visible as small variations in color and tone in the image. As the ‘amplifiers’ in the sensor make the electrical signals stronger with each higher ISO setting, the amount of noise will also increase. You can compare this with bigger grains on high speed conventional film.

::: The advantages of digital are numerous and well known. Direct results on your LCD make it possible to re-shoot and adjust your composition or exposure as needed. Ad ones you have bought your equipment, there is (almost) no cost for additional pictures you take. Just store them on a CD. If you want some prints, you can send them to your local photolab and print only the best of your shots instead of a whole roll of conventional film. These advantages make it easy for you to experiment and try things you would avoid with film. More shots increases the chances of good images and also it increases your learning curves, which eventually makes you a better photographer!

 

Conclusion

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::: What do you want to do with your images ? That is the primary question you should ask yourself. If one wants to make an A3 size (or larger) print with superb professional quality you should consider a professional 35mm film and expensive equipment. Also if you don’t have any affiliation with computers, than you probably should stay with film as digital requires you to store your files or to do some post processing.

::: If you want to get superb quality, large pictures, you still need to go for the conventional, top of the line analog film camera. Digital is going through a (fast) stage of development, but is yet not capable of reaching the resolution of top quality film. However, in the right hands, it is currently possible to produce an equal or better result than with an "average" film camera.

::: If one is primarily concerned with taking relatively small images for email or to use on a web page, then an inexpensive digital camera will be good enough. A good digital camera system (compact or SLR) is nowadays capable of producing very good results. With some appropriate post-processing you are able to create artistic and creative results.