I guess this was best answered in a review I recently read about a Panasonic digicam. I have this camera's ancestor (from way back in 2004), loved it when I got it but now only used it for specially purposes (it has a 12X optical zoom with image stabilization, so it takes the place of a big zoom.)
Here's the conclusion of the review from Digital Camera Review:
Conclusion
For many digital camera buyers image quality is the single most important consideration in their purchasing decision. However, exactly what constitutes superior image quality will always be relative and subjective. I have a favorite 11x14 Cibachrome print, made (in 1988) from an Agfachrome RS100 35mm slide. That print is sharp as a tack, all colors are hue accurate and absolutely neutral, there's no image noise, no blotching, no fading (after almost 20 years), and no purple fringing. Some potential purchasers may eliminate the FZ7 from their considerations because of its slightly higher than average noise levels and that's too bad. Most digicam buyers use their images for 4x6 prints, on-line photo albums, an occasional 8x10 enlargement, and for sharing (via e-mail) with friends/relatives. The FZ7 will excel in all those applications. This camera comes tantalizingly close to the mythical ideal prosumer digicam. With very little in the way of genuine competition, the FZ7 may be the best prosumer digicam choice (based on features/capabilities/performance vs price and at this point in time) for serious shutterbugs and advanced amateur shooters. Photography is not just a science - it is also an art, so it is important not to get too hung up on stats and specs. Noise, blotching, and purple fringing are (to a lesser or greater degree) present in all digital images and the only practical way to reliably (and completely) avoid these frustrating electronic anomalies is to shoot film.
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=2754
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This plus I love the old cameras, collecting affordable gear, like having a camera that works w/o a battery or the battery lasts for years, like playing with different film emulsions, like developing my black and white negs, like making my own wet-process prints, like being able to shoot at ISO settings higher than 200 withouts spending $1000 give or take for a DSLR kit for the privlidge, prefer not to spend hours tweaking images in photoshop, dislike finicky inkjets, and they're just - to me, way more fun. More focus on photography, less on technology bits, bytes, software, and megapixels.
Why do you still shoot film?
