A comparison of the features of the electronic tongue; comprising an array of non-specific chemical sensors and pattern recognition methods, with analytical characteristics of the discrete conventional ion-selective sensors (electrodes) has been performed. A method has been suggested that allows observing the detection limit and the selectivity of a sensor array at least three to five times better than that for a single sensor. The electronic tongue also exhibits a number of completely new features, such as the possibility to determine some unusual species in solutions, e.g. organic substances, and the capability to make measurements without the standard reference electrode.