Microfilm images, like paper documents, contain human-readable information. While such images require magnification for eye-legible display or printing, micrographics equipment requirements are straightforward. Appropriate display and printing devices have been widely available for decades. Compared to documents stored in electronic formats, micrographics implementations have minimal hardware and software dependencies.

With its long history of standardization, micrographics technology offers exceptional compatibility and interchangeability of recorded information among the products of different vendors. Micrographics users can exchange documents worldwide with confidence that the documents will be viewable and printable by available equipment. Similarly, users can have a high degree of confidence that micrographic images created today will be compatible with display and printing equipment introduced in the future.

As with paper documents, the legal status of microfilm images is well established for both recordkeeping requirements and admissibility in evidence.  Among pertinent statutory provisions, the Uniform Photographic Copies of Business and Public Records as Evidence Act (UPA), as well as the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) and Uniform Rules of Evidence (URE), specifically mention microfilm as an acceptable medium for document reproduction.