Infrared Cameras, Thermal Cameras, Thermal Security Cameras or Thermography Cameras – What Are the Differences and Which One Do I Need?

Thermal Cameras, Thermal Security Cameras and Thermography Cameras – What Are The Differences and Which One Do I Need?

By Tjaart Broodryk

Broadly speaking there are really two main types of Infrared Cameras, and then a third although the third is not that important in the mainstream marketplace.  The three main types then are:

1. THERMAL IMAGING or THERMAL SECURITY Cameras – Cameras that are designed to output an infrared image only – these cameras cannot measure temperature.
2. THERMOGRAPHY CAMERAS – Cameras that output a Radiometric infrared image and can measure temperature or quantify electromagnetic radiation in several different units.
3. SCIENTIFIC INFRARED CAMERAS that allow users an open framework camera, necessary for Advanced Radiometry and allows total access to the setup, calibration and outputs of the camera.

Main uses of these cameras (there are off course more) in the mainstream are:

1. THERMAL IMAGING or THERMAL SECURITY Cameras that cannot measure are used for security / military purposes, or similar applications such as hunting – where detection is key and temperature measurement just does not matter.
2. THERMOGRAPHY CAMERAS that can measure are used for maintenance or condition monitoring purposes or similar where detection of heat radiation differences and the temperature are important.
3. SCIENTIFIC INFRARED CAMERAS – for users mainly in Research and Development applications where radiometry, accuracy, frame rates or camera speed and synchronization requirements are key. 

Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) detects gas leaks, a fairly recent development in thermography camera development, possibly a new category camera on its own and is not discussed further here. If you need any information on Optical Gas Imaging Cameras, please contact our team directly.

The internet, however, has become slightly confused, and mainly because the terminology to distinguish between these main types of infrared cameras have not been standardised – not between OEM’s and not even internal to OEMs.

Not that this matters much to users looking for security or personal use Infrared cameras – where the bulk of the market sits today.  It does however matter a lot if you are looking for a camera that can measure temperature (accurately) and produce a report from captured data.  Searching the web when you need something other than a straightforward Thermal Imaging camera can be frustrating as terminologies are used incorrectly by suppliers that do not really know or care

There are few people / companies out there that know enough about Infrared Cameras to be able to explain the differences, and even fewer that can accurately match your needs to a specific model.  Infrared Camera prices will range from cheap to very high, buying wrong happens daily.  There are literally thousands of Infrared Camera models available, and even more OEMs and distributors arrive daily. 

The differences and the specifications between the main types – and then between the models of each type are not always clear. Save to say that there is a nice and confusing bunch of specifications that accompany all three types of cameras.  I will not go into the specifications here – that is saved in a future blog – and I am not an expert on the security type cameras, but when it comes to Thermography cameras, we know a lot. Which specifications matter? And why? Look for a future blog here or call us today if you need to know right now!

This article aims to quickly give an overview of the three main types of cameras, the trick is that if you are going to use the camera for professional services – not so much personal – then buy from the supplier that has best knowledge, offers training and can support these cameras with spares and calibration services for at least the warranty term – which with FLIR Cameras is up to 10 years!

The difference between the three types of Infrared cameras lies mainly in their intended end-use, features, and application environments, even though all three sense and convert infrared radiation (heat) rather into a visible light image.

1. Purpose & Application

THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS
Feature	Thermography Cameras	Thermal Security Cameras	Scientific Infrared Cameras
Primary Use	Industrial inspections, fault finding, maintenance, diagnostics, process automation and firefighting.	Perimeter protection, surveillance, threat detection.  Vehicle night vision.	Research and Development, Scientific Work
Typical Applications	Electrical & Mechanical fault detection, Heat Loss, Moisture Ingress, Early Fire Detection, Process Control.	Intrusion detection, night surveillance, border control, Military Night vision.	Target signature analysis, Heat Flow, Materials Behaviour, Propulsion studies.
Users	Artisan, Engineers, Operations, Thermographers, Condition Monitors, Maintenance teams.	Security personnel, Military, Law enforcement.	Researchers and Scientists, Product Development Engineers.

2. Design & Features

THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS
Feature	Thermography Cameras		Thermal Security Cameras	Scientific Infrared Cameras
Form Factor	Handheld or Fixed type – Subtype would be Point-and-Shoot (Pistol Grip) or Rotating Block for Handheld versions		Fixed-mounted, PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) or PVS (Personal Vision Systems) i.e.: handheld Monocular/ Binocular	Fixed or mounted design
Detector Types	Mostly Uncooled Microbolometers (Low price) Leak Detection (OGI) – mostly high performance cooled		Mostly Uncooled Microbolometers, for Long Range and Border control – High performance cooled	Mostly High-Performance Cooled Cameras. MCT, InSb, SLS.Uncooled Microbolometers for consumable or lower accuracy & slower tests.
Thermal Sensitivity	From Bad or Poor to Good or Excellent.  From bad @ 100mk to excellent @ 35mK – massive differences between models.		Uncooled good side from @50mK to excellent @20mk on the cooled versions	Highest Sensitivity @20mK and better. (Lower).
Measurement Tools	Temperature readings, basic and or advanced analysis tools, spot meters, area tools, isotherms etc.		Limited to colour pallets and contract alarms.	Complete radiometric measurement and analysis suite for advanced users. User calibrations permitted.
Image Analysis	Radiometric (temperature data per pixel)		Non-radiometric (shows heat differences or thermal contrast only)	Advanced Radiometric and time synchronisation
Recording/Alerting	Manual recording, single images or radio metric or standard video radiometric, inspection logs and notations	Motion alerts, real-time alarms, video analytics (mostly through software, limited onboard functionality)		From a single FPS (frame per second) to thousands of FPS, with advanced triggering and various data streaming options.

3. Technical Capabilities

THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS
Feature	Thermography Cameras	Thermal Security Cameras	Scientific Infrared Cameras
Resolution	Often higher (e.g., 320×240, 640×480, 1024×768 and shortly even higher!	Lower (e.g., 160×120, 320×240 & 640 x 480) – optimised for detection.	320 x 240, 640 x 480, 1024 x 768 and higher resolutions.
Frame rates	Typically, 9Hz to 30Hz, up to 60Hz and even 100Hz for special models.	Usually, 30Hz only or lower.	Programmable from 0.5Hz to 1000’s Hz with windowing, largely application dependent.
Integration	Fixed type – Not typically integrated with CCTV.  Advanced VMS systems with plug-in Modules can be used, or specialised software	Integrated with video management systems (VMS)	User dependant – Full SDK available for integration into various Research Software’s
Connectivity	Handheld units provide USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi for data export. Fixed versions – Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, versions may support protocols allowing integration into vision and control systems –model dependant! Smart Cameras allow various interfaces and outputs. SDK Supported.	Networked (IP, ONVIF compatible) for continuous feeds	Gigabit Ethernet (GigE Vision), CXP Dual Link

4. Summary

THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS
Aspect	Thermography Cameras	Thermal Security	Scientific Infrared Cameras
You Need It If…	You’re diagnosing overheating equipment, building energy loss, or faults	You need to monitor an area for intrusion or unusual activity at night or in low visibility	Your developing new products and need to know more about the heat flow properties or thermal signatures of materials and components
Main Value	Precision temperature measurement & heat flow analysis, temperature trending.	Reliable detection of humans/vehicles/animals in total darkness	Accurate and reliable thermodynamic data for further analysis in FEM or Design platforms
Examples	FLIR E-series (E8 Pro, E96), FLIR T-Series (T865, T560), FLIR A series (A70, A700, A65)	FLIR Scout Pro, FLIR Elara Series, FLIR FH Series, FLIR PT Series	FLIR A6780 MWIR, FLIR X8580-HS/SLS, FLIR RS8500