Thermal imaging cameras, also known as infrared cameras, are vital pieces of equipment in a variety of situations. This type of tech was traditionally used by militaries but is now widely available to professionals and civilians alike. Rather than visible light, these cameras capture invisible heat radiation and translate it into a visual image known as a thermogram.
Here are some of the reasons you might want to buy a thermal imaging camera for domestic or commercial capacities:
- Detecting leaks (water, air, etc.) behind solid obstacles such as walls
- Identifying structural defects and areas of energy wastage for repair
- Examining the operating temperatures of electronics to source heat spikes
- Documenting nocturnal animals if you’re a wildlife enthusiast
Thermal imaging surveys are vital in construction, electrical wiring, and maintenance to find and fix faults as quickly as possible. In some cases, thermal imaging can also be used to locate lost individuals in woodland areas or to identify people with fevers in crowds (bear in mind that infrared thermometers aren’t the same thing as thermal imaging cameras, though).
Whichever reason you have for searching for thermal imaging cameras, the good news is they’re more accessible than ever. These compact hand-held units are a worthy investment for traders or DIY enthusiasts, and temporary thermal imaging camera hire is always available if purchasing one is out of your budget for a one-off job.
Thermal imaging camera price factors
The cost of a thermal imaging camera will depend on its specifications and the extent of what you need it to do. These are the various features of thermal imaging cameras that can affect the price:
- Detector resolution: How high-quality do you need the thermal image to be? Is the lower range of 0.0005 megapixels good enough or does it need to be at least 0.08 megapixels?
- Temperature range: Are you looking at a basic range of -10°C to 150°C or a higher range of -40°C to 300°C for commercial settings?
- Precision and sensitivity: Is the average 2% variation acceptable for detecting differences in temperature readings, or do you require a higher degree of accuracy?
- Storage: Is a memory card included? What’s the maximum memory an SD or microSD can hold for thermal images?
- Processing: Does the thermal camera have wireless connectivity for immediate analysis on another device?
- File format: Does the camera save thermal images as standard JPEGs or are other file formats available?
- Analytical software: Do you need to be able to collect detailed measurements from the device to generate computer reports?
- Battery life: How many hours of use can you get out of the camera before it needs recharging, and how long will it take to recharge?
- Dimensions: Is the camera lightweight and portable enough while also being durable enough to withstand rougher use?
You should answer these questions to get a good idea of the specs you’re looking for before you select a thermal imaging camera; the cheapest option isn’t always the best for every project.
How much do thermal imaging cameras cost?
If you just want a basic thermal imaging device, you can easily find one for a few hundred pounds. There are also plenty of reasonably cheap thermal imaging add-ons for smartphones to make it easier for more casual users.
However, if you want an excellent quality thermal imaging camera, you must be willing to invest to get the best. A standard good-quality thermal imaging device can cost around £1,200 to buy, while elite thermal cameras can set you back between £4,000 to £28,000 depending on the specifications.
If that sounds daunting, don’t worry, because you still have the option of hiring a thermal imaging camera instead of buying one outright. Thermal imaging camera sales are mostly geared towards commercial professionals who’ll get the most use out of the device. If you decide to rent a thermal imaging camera for a short period of time, you can expect to pay from £70- £715 for 1 day up to £125-£1495 for 7 days, again depending on the specifications.
These prices are based on FLIR thermal imaging cameras, one of the leading manufacturers of thermal camera devices in the world. These thermal cameras are designed with professional usage in mind, so you’re always guaranteed quality however you use them.
