Oracle RMAN vs. Export?

http://www.dba-oracle.com/t_rman_export_expdp.htm

Question:  I've been using data pump (the export utility) to backup my database, but I wonder if I should be using RMAN instead.  They both do backups, so what's the advantages of each?

Answer:  Yes, RMAN and export both backup tables, and they both support flashback database, but there are some important differences:

• Data Pump Export (expdp) - The export utility is a "logical" backup, usually done by specifying specific tables.  If you fail to do a "consistent" export, or if you fail to include related tables and use RESTRICTED and CONSISTENT mode (with referential integrity constraints), you may not be able to recover properly.  Export is often used as a supplement to RMAN, usually for the restore of specific tables.
• Recovery manager (rman) - RMAN is designed for backup and recovery, a extension of the Enterprise Backup Utility (EBU).  RMAN takes full, physical, consistent backups of your database files..

Advantages & disadvantages of Export:

• Free, and easy to use
• Very slow, compared to RMAN (examines every data block)
• Easy restore of a specific table
• Does not require ARCHIVELOG mode

Advantages & disadvantages of RMAN:

• RMAN has block-level media recovery
• Has a catalog for backup tracking and a report utility
• Fast - If you dedicate a backup device for each production disk, you can backup terabytes in the time it takes to backup any single disk.
• Does hot or cold backups
• Backups and restores can be done in parallel
• Allows incremental backups (block change tracking)
• Interfaces with media management systems (TMS)