Differences between digital camera and film camera

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How is a digital camera different from a film camera?

If you're used to shooting with a film camera, you'll notice some differences when you switch to a digital model. Here's a quick summary.
Key differences: Powering the camera | Recording pictures | Framing shots | Snapping shots | Storing pictures | Displaying pictures | Printing pictures

Powering the camera
Film: Takes disposable batteries that require infrequent replacement.
Digital: Takes one or more of a variety of battery types--both disposable and rechargeable--that require frequent replacement or recharging.
Many digital cameras use batteries designed specifically for them.

Recording pictures
Film: Uses film, which comes in various frame sizes and different sensitivities to light.
Digital: Uses a fixed, light-sensitive, silicon chip that comes in two varieties: CCD or CMOS. This chip determines the frame size and the light sensitivity of the camera. You can simulate the effects of using different types of film via settings within the camera.
A CCD is like film that you can reuse over and over again.

Framing shots
Film: Uses an optical viewfinder that shows 97 to 100 percent of the scene.
Digital: Uses an optical viewfinder, as well as an LCD that displays 100 percent of the scene. But an LCD can be hard to see in bright light and uses a lot of battery power. Many cameras substitute the optical viewfinder with the kind of electronic viewfinder (EVF) that is used on camcorders. Photographers who are used to optical viewfinders don't always like EVFs, so try before you buy. Some cameras have LCDs that flip out and/or twist, to help you frame difficult shots.

Snapping shots
Film: Instantaneous capture
Digital: Varies wildly, depending upon image size, file format, media type, memory available for temporary storage, sensor type, and speed of autofocus.

Storing pictures
Film: Stores images directly on the capture medium (film), which is single-use and supplies a fixed number of frames per roll.
Digital: Stores images as digital files on reusable memory cards or discs, both of which come in various capacities and can hold a variable number of frames per card. JPEG Small and fast for capture but has file compression that may introduce artifacts that degrade image quality.
RAW Smaller than TIFFs and more flexible for postcapture retouching. Not offered on all cameras, and special software is required to read them. TIFF Large files that can slow down your shooting and fill up your media but have no compression artifacts.

Framing shots
Film: Aside from a few Advanced Photo System consumer models, can't display shots until after developing. Once film is developed, you can scan the photos or negatives to display on a monitor or a TV.
Digital: Plays back images on the LCD. In addition, many cameras allow you to connect to a TV for group viewing. You can also upload the pictures to an online photo-album site to share with the geographically remote. Digital camera LCDs allow you to view all the images you've taken.

Framing shots
Film: Deliver to a photofinisher in order to get prints or digital files.
Digital: You can download image files to your computer for printing on your home printer, or, if you have a compatible printer, you can attach your camera directly to it. Another option is getting traditional silver-halide prints from an online service or a local photofinisher who accepts digital files.
Source: www.Nytimes.com