A thermal imaging camera captures infrared radiation emitted by objects. The principle is based on the fact that all objects with a temperature above absolute zero (-273 degrees Celsius or 0 Kelvin) emit infrared radiation. This makes it possible to detect the heat of a surface. Such a lens is often simply called an infrared camera. However, a distinction must be made here between thermal imaging and night vision cameras. The latter use residual light or infrared light to brighten the image in the dark.
Both technologies have different applications and complement each other in different scenarios. A thermal imaging camera is primarily intended to display temperature differences between surfaces, while the night vision camera ensures visibility in complete darkness through existing light and reflected infrared light. The latter is used in surveillance cameras with night vision (best list) – often in black and white, although there are colored versions.
The image from a thermal imaging camera is displayed in color – this is also called pseudo-color representation. Temperatures themselves cannot be perceived through colors, but the human eye can recognize them more easily through the colored representation. This makes it easier to quickly identify temperature differences and hotspots. It is also easier for the user to understand than a grayscale display.
In this guide, we use a product as an example to show how you can easily retrofit a thermal imaging camera with a USB-C plug for any smartphone. We also look at outdoor smartphones (best list) that also have such an infrared camera and show classic handheld thermal imaging cameras.
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Why do you need a thermal imaging camera?
A thermal imaging camera can also be used in a variety of ways in the home to improve various aspects of building and household surveillance. The following areas of application are conceivable:
Energy efficiency: Find heat leaks in walls, windows and doors.
Electrical device monitoring: Early detection of overheating or malfunctions in electrical devices.
Heating: Diagnosis of heating systems to increase efficiency and even heat distribution.
Plumbing and water leaks: Detecting leaks in pipes and identifying water damage in the building structure.
Pest control: Look for hiding places of pests, as these often appear as heat sources.
Infrared cameras can also be interesting for nature lovers, hunters or foresters who want to locate animals at night.
Simply retrofit: Infiray P2 Pro in the test
We tested them Infiray P2 Pro. The compact thermal imaging camera that can be retrofitted to a smartphone currently costs at Banggood 230 Euro. You simply plug the small camera module into your smartphone. In conjunction with the P2 Pro app, you can retrofit any cell phone with a USB-C socket with a thermal imaging camera. The scope of delivery also includes an additional, magnetic macro lens that can be clipped on and an extension cable for USB-C.
Setting it up is incredibly easy: download the app and plug in the camera module – and off you go. Various color palettes are available in the app – i.e. schemes for how the heat is displayed in color. The “Iron Red” mode highlights significantly warmer areas (such as a radiator) in glowing orange, while the cooler surroundings appear in blue and purple tones. There are a total of ten colored and two black and white palettes. If you want to get particularly close to an area, place the magnetic macro lens on the camera adapter.
Infiray P2 Pro
Infiray P2 Pro
The camera image also shows the temperature in Celsius for certain areas. If desired, users can set an alarm that sounds at a certain temperature. It is also possible to overlay the image from the smartphone camera in a small box over the thermal image.
The IR resolution is 256 × 192 pixels. The focal length of the lens is 3.2 mm. The measuring range extends from -20 degrees Celsius to 550 degrees Celsius.
Thermal imaging cameras for Android smartphones and iPhone
The Infiray P2 Pro is also available for the iPhone 299 Euro on Amazon. Similar adapters to the Infiray model are offered by manufacturers from the Far East and Flir, the industry’s largest brand from the USA. The Flir One Gen 3 You can get it with USB-C for Android smartphones 225 Eurofor Lightning connectors (iOS) they are 189 Euro. The Flir One Pro with USB-C for Android costs around 400 Eurowith a plug for the iPhone, for example 390 Euro. Other providers include Seek Themal, Hikmicro and Topdon. There are also variants with Micro-USB.
Outdoor smartphones with thermal imaging cameras
Another option is outdoor smartphones (list of the best). Some of the models from our tests offer a thermal imaging camera, sometimes in combination with an IR lens for night vision.
Outdoor cell phones with thermal imaging cameras
Outdoor cell phones with thermal imaging cameras
At the AGM G2 Guardian (Test report) is a premium class outdoor cell phone. The price is with 849 Euro Quite high, but the device offers a fast processor, 120 Hertz LCD and night vision and thermal imaging camera with a long range of up to 500 meters.
This offers better value for money Doogee V31GT (test report) for 460 Euro. 5G and a decent processor are part of the equipment, as well as a thermal imaging and night vision camera as well as a 120 Hertz display. The sensor comes from Infiray.
Other outdoor smartphones with thermal imaging cameras are available from Blackview, Oukitel and Doogee.
Thermal imaging camera for home
If you prefer a stand-alone solution without a smartphone, you no longer have to spend so much money. How to get a pistol grip thermal imaging camera from Voltcraft already for just under 170 Euro. However, models for professionals are significantly more expensive.
A colleague has had good experiences with this Bosch Professional GTC 400 C for 899 Euro made. When building a house, he was able to discover thermal bridges in the insulation and floor heating pipes. The device impresses with good IR resolution and software that allows a user to change all parameters later.
Drone: Flying thermal imaging camera
It’s less suitable for your own four walls, but it’s still great fun Parrot Anafi Thermal (Review). The drone comes with a price of 2735 Euro Not a bargain, but still one of the inexpensive models with a thermal imaging camera.
Thanks to its good flight characteristics, easy handling and a now sophisticated app, the drone is an extremely interesting tool for self-employed people and companies, especially in the area of thermal insulation and maintenance. But the threat is also interesting for foresters.
Conclusion
A thermal imaging camera is very practical. This means you can quickly identify weak insulation, a leak in a water supply or devices that may be at risk of overheating. You can also use it to detect mammals in the dark. A comparatively inexpensive option is to retrofit a thermal imaging camera module. You simply plug this into your smartphone. Outdoor smartphones and stand-alone solutions are also available as an alternative, but they are usually expensive.