Although the basic process of digital and film cameras may be similar, the cameras and their capabilities are very different. In today's fast-paced world, most people are using digital models because of their speed, size, numerous functions, and the fact the automatic point and shoot cameras are so easy to use. Thousands of digital photos can also be easily stored on disks, online, and on memory sticks, etc. Digital cameras made their first appearance in the late 1980s and in the span of 20 years they have revolutionized the art of photography. Digital, filmless cameras work by focusing light from the lens onto a charge coupled device (CCD). The CCD then converts the light into electrical signals. The data is projected onto a grid of pixels, and each individual pixel is designated a color and brightness value. When all of the pixels are joined together they form the finished image which is stored in the device's internal memory bank on a small removable memory card or floppy disk. There are many pros to using digital cameras.

• They allow you to view the finished image almost instantly on its viewing screen and if you don't like what you see, you can delete it instantly and reshoot the photo.

• These cameras are also very popular as they let you download the finished images onto a computer for printing and/or storage purposes. You can also print the images directly from the camera to a printer and you can connect the camera to a television to view the images onscreen.

• The number of photos you can store in the camera's memory all comes down to the size of the memory card that is used.   A single memory card can take hundreds of images.  Unlike some film, storing and changing memory cards is also easy, and they can be re-used.

• Most digital cameras are easy to use as they provide automatic focusing, flash and exposure controls, however many models will let you override automatic settings with manual options if you are a more advanced photographer.

Another bonus with digital photography is the fact you can edit and/or manipulate the images on a computer after they are taken. This is done by using photo editing software such as Photoshop. Film cameras are still used by some people, especially those who enjoy the process of producing their own prints in a dark room. However, some professional photographers still use film cameras for some projects as they feel the photos are of better quality in regards to depth, colour and clarity. Of course with film cameras you can't afford to waste shots as it can get expensive. With a digital camera you can take as many photos as you want as you can always delete the images you don't want to keep. Digital vs film photography basically comes down to personal preference. There are certainly many advantages to using the latest technology, but if you enjoy the craft of shooting and developing with film, then there is nothing wrong with the old fashioned way of taking photos.