Not only can real time video be of use, but also time-lapse and high speed videos can help to speed up or slow down a process in order to learn more about its function. There is no easy answer to which is better suited for digital imaging, because there are so many applications of bioimaging. However, there are some differences that can be readily pointed out. The photographic process is time consuming. It requires the command of several photographic techniques and a fare amount of skill to achieve the desired result.
Film often requires long exposures to obtain an image.
This can be a problem for dynamic processes that need to be captured quickly so as to freeze the action without blurring the image. However, it is significantly less expensive when comparing the quality, resolution and dynamic tonal range of an image with that of an electronic image. It also provides archival images that can be stored in less space than digital images. Until costs for digital technology drops dramatically and resolution of image chips increases, film will still be a powerful tool for bioimaging. There are also tube cameras and a new CMOS chip based cameras.