In the past few years, most people have upgraded from cameras that use film to digital cameras, which store images electronically using either flash memory, or in some cases, a hard disc drive. These modern cameras have a number of advantages over traditional film cameras, but perhaps the most notable is the ability of digital cameras to store hundreds of photographs, and allow for images to be uploaded onto a computer for editing and storage.

Typically, digital camera functions, even on the most basic models now exceed those available on comparable compact film cameras, and offer everyone the chance to take great photos.

Although image quality on digital cameras has traditionally been somewhat lower than that available on a typical 35mm camera, thanks to the resolution of the light sensitive chips that collect the image data, with the latest generations of models, the image quality matches or even exceeds that of their competitors.

One of the most impressive digital camera functions is the ability of the photographer to instantly see what they have taken a photo of. This is achieved using the screen on the back of the camera, which can show the picture straight away, and allow users to decide whether or not they want to keep the picture, rather than having to wait until the film is developed.

Most digital cameras now allow users to perform a certain degree of image manipulation through the use of their inbuilt software. Functions range from being able to take pictures in black and white through to being able to zoom in on a particular area of the image, and crop it from the whole easily.

When a digital camera is coupled with a PC that has image management software such as Adobe Photoshop, it is possible to add all manner of effects and stitch different pictures together in order to create a montage that would be very difficult using traditional media.

If there is enough memory available, digital camera functions also include the ability to take short videos with sound, making them a viable alternative to an expensive dedicated video camera for capturing special moments in all their glory.

Thanks to the Internet, and websites such as Flickr, digital camera owners can share their pictures with friends from all over the world in a matter of seconds, allowing almost anyone to have instant access to pictures of an event, and this has created a revolution in the way that news events can be covered in real time.