Pointer and digital multimeter have their advantages and disadvantages.
Pointer multimeter is an average type instrument, it has intuitive, image reading instructions. (General reading value is closely related to the angle of the pointer swing, so it is very intuitive).
Digital multimeter is instantaneous sampling instrument. It uses 0.3 seconds to take a sample to display the measurement results, sometimes the results of each sample is very similar, not exactly the same, which is not as convenient as the pointer for reading results. Pointer-type multimeter generally do not have amplifier, so the internal resistance is small.
Digital Multimeter because of the internal use of the discharge circuit, resistance can be done very large, often in 1M or greater. (That is, you can get a higher sensitivity). This makes the influence of the circuit can be smaller and the measurement accuracy is higher.
The pointer multimeter has smaller internal resistance and uses discrete components to form a shunt voltage divider circuit. So the frequency characteristics are uneven (relative digital), and the frequency of the digital multimeter is relatively good. The internal structure of the pointer multimeter is simple, so the cost is lower, the function is less, the maintenance is simple and the ability of passing through pressure is strong.
Digital Multimeter Internal use of a variety of oscillation, amplification, frequency division protection circuits, so more functions. For example, can measure temperature, frequency (in a lower range), capacitance, inductance, do signal generator and so on.
Digital Multimeter because of the internal structure of multiple integrated circuits so overload capacity is poor, after the damage is generally difficult to repair. The digital multimeter has a lower output voltage (usually no more than 1 volts). For some special voltage characteristics of the components of the test inconvenience (such as SCR, light-emitting diodes, etc.). The pointer multimeter has higher output voltage. Current is also large, can be easily tested SCR, light-emitting diodes and so on.
For beginners should use a pointer multimeter, for non-beginners should use two kinds of instruments.