The aim of this study is to use different image analysis and processing methods in order to extract information content needed to update large scale maps. Recently available high resolution satellite imagery attracted mapping communities to shift their focus from aerial photographs to satellite imagery. Digital aerial cameras, recently introduced to aerial photography, have much higher radiometric resolution than traditional film aerial cameras do. Thus, even though the spatial resolution is almost the same level, a digital aerial camera can capture much clearer images of the earth surface than a film camera does. This paper highlights the capability of digital aerial images in detecting various damages due to earthquakes. In the recent earthquakes in Japan, such as the 2004 Mid-Niigata earthquake and the 2007 Off-Mid-Niigata earthquake, the affected areas were captured by digital aerial cameras as well as by analog aerial cameras and high-resolution satellites. In this paper, the quality of digital aerial images is first compared with scanned analog photos. Then the digital aerial images taken before and after the 2007 Off-Mid-Niigata earthquake are used to detect building damage. Both the pixel-based classification and the object-based classification are conducted. Debris of collapsed buildings is extracted correctly from the digital image processing.