A digital multimeter is an instantaneous style instrument. It uses a sample taken every 0.3 seconds to display the measurement results. Sometimes, each sampling result is only very similar and not exactly the same, which is not as convenient for reading the results as a pointer type.

A pointer type multimeter generally does not have an amplifier inside, so its internal resistance is small. For example, the MF-10 model has a DC voltage sensitivity of 100 kiloohms/volt. The DC voltage sensitivity of the MF-500 model is 20 kiloohms/volt.

Due to the use of an operational amplifier circuit internally, the internal resistance of a digital multimeter can be large, often at 1M ohms or higher. (i.e. higher sensitivity can be achieved). This allows for less impact on the tested circuit and higher measurement accuracy.

The output voltage of the pointer type multimeter is relatively high, such as 10.5 volts, 12 volts, etc. The current is also large (such as MF-500 * 1 ohm, with a maximum of around 100 milliamperes), making it convenient to test thyristors, light-emitting diodes, and other components.

The output voltage of a digital multimeter is relatively low (usually not exceeding 1 volt). It is inconvenient to test some components with special voltage characteristics, such as thyristors, light-emitting diodes, etc.