Pros and Cons of Analog and Digital Multimeters
Analog multimeters are average-responding instruments with intuitive, visual reading indications.(Readings are closely related to the pointer deflection angle, making them very straightforward.)
Digital multimeters are instantaneous sampling instruments. They take samples every 0.3 seconds to display measurement results. Sometimes successive samples are only very close but not identical, making readings less convenient than on analog meters.
Analog multimeters generally contain no internal amplifiers, so their internal resistance is relatively low. For example, the MF-10 model has a DC voltage sensitivity of 100 kΩ/V, which is among the highest. The MF-500 model has a DC voltage sensitivity of 20 kΩ/V.
Because digital multimeters use internal operational amplifier circuits, their input resistance can be made very high, often 1 MΩ or more, providing higher sensitivity. This minimizes loading effects on the circuit under test and results in higher measurement accuracy.
Due to their low internal resistance and the use of discrete components for shunt and voltage-divider circuits, analog multimeters have uneven frequency characteristics compared with digital types, though their frequency response is relatively better.
Analog multimeters feature simple internal construction, resulting in lower cost, fewer functions, easy maintenance, and strong overcurrent and overvoltage withstand capability.
Digital multimeters incorporate various circuits for oscillation, amplification, frequency division, protection, and more, enabling additional functions such as temperature measurement, frequency measurement (within a low range), capacitance and inductance measurement, or signal generation.
Because they rely heavily on integrated circuits, digital multimeters generally have weaker overload tolerance. Although some modern models feature auto-ranging and automatic protection, their operation is more complex, and they are usually difficult to repair once damaged.
Digital multimeters have low open-circuit output voltage, typically below 1 volt, making them inconvenient for testing components with special voltage characteristics, such as silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Analog multimeters have higher output voltage, such as 10.5 V or 12 V,and higher output current - for instance, the MF-500 can deliver approximately 100 mA in the ×1 ohm range - allowing convenient testing of SCRs, LEDs, and similar devices.
