How does Marshal.ReadInt32 etc. differ from unsafe context and pointers?

Question

Particularly: Is Marshal safer? Are pointers faster?

int pixel = Marshal.ReadInt32(bitmapData.Scan0, x * 4 + y * bitmapData.Stride);
int pixel = ((int*)bitmapData.Scan0)[x + y * bitmapData.Stride / 4];

Answer 1

There is no difference. If you look at the code from Marshal.ReadInt32 you will see it uses pointers to perform the same thing.

The only 'benefit' with Marshal is that you not have to explicitly allow unsafe code. IIRC, you also require FullTrust to run unsafe code, so that may be a consideration.