When you compare an infrared vs thermal camera, it’s easy to feel lost at first. Both rely on infrared radiation, and both help you detect things you can’t see with the naked eye. But the technology behind each tool is different, and those differences result in distinct applications and outcomes.
You might be checking for heat loss in a cold home or trying to choose the right night-vision camera for security. Whatever your situation, a clear explanation makes the choice easier. This guide walks you through what each camera actually does, how they differ, and how to pick the one that fits your needs.
How Do Infrared and Thermal Cameras Work?
Infrared and thermal cameras both use parts of the infrared spectrum, but they rely on different wavelengths and produce very different results.
Infrared cameras: near-IR light for night vision
In everyday use, an infrared camera is usually a standard CCTV camera with near-infrared LEDs. When it gets dark, the camera switches on a ring of LEDs, often at 850 nm or 940 nm. That invisible light reflects off nearby objects. The image sensor picks up this reflected light and turns it into a clear black-and-white picture.
Because the camera still works like a normal video camera, you get recognisable detail: faces, clothing, number plates, and general textures. It also sees through regular glass, since the near-IR light behaves much like visible light. The main limitations come from scattering and glare. Fog, heavy rain, and smoke reduce clarity in the same way they would for a standard optical camera.
Thermal cameras: long-wave infrared for heat
A thermal camera works at the other end of the spectrum. Instead of reflected light, it reads heat. Everything above absolute zero emits long-wave infrared radiation, usually between 7.5–14 μm. A special lens focuses this radiation onto a sensor called a microbolometer. The sensor warms slightly at each pixel and converts that change into a temperature map.
This process means thermal cameras don’t need any light at all. They work in full darkness and often hold up better than regular cameras in light fog, smoke, or dust. They can’t see through common glass, though, because long-wave IR can’t pass through it. That’s why thermal cameras use materials like germanium instead of standard lenses.
Thermal imaging plays a major role in building surveys, leak hunting, electrical checks, mechanical diagnostics, and outdoor search work. It shows temperature patterns that you simply can’t see with visible or near-IR imaging.
Why the names cause confusion
Technically, thermal cameras are a type of infrared camera, because they also work in the infrared spectrum.
In everyday buying and setup though:
- “Infrared camera”usually points to a near-infrared security camera with LEDs.
- “Thermal camera”means a long-wave infrared heat-sensing camera.
That’s the distinction this guide follows when comparing infrared camera vs thermal camera options.
Infrared vs Thermal Camera: Key Differences
Now that you’ve seen how they work, it’s easier to line up a thermal vs infrared camera and compare them point by point.
What they detect and show
Infrared cameras pick up reflected near-IR light and produce normal CCTV footage in black and white (grayscale) at night. You can often see faces, clothing, and other fine detail, which is great for recognising people and objects.
Thermal cameras capture emitted heat. The image is based on temperature contrast, not colour or texture. You see hot and cold areas rather than precise features.
Lighting and environment
Infrared cameras need some kind of IR illumination, usually from their own LED ring. They work well around buildings where the LEDs can light the scene, but they still behave like optical cameras. Fog, rain, and smoke reduce clarity.
Thermal cameras don’t rely on light at all. They work in total darkness and stay usable when optical cameras struggle. Because long-wave IR doesn’t pass through standard glass, thermal cameras use special lenses.
Detail, identification, and range
Infrared cameras deliver sharp visual detail at short to medium ranges, depending on lens and resolution. They’re better for identifying faces, vehicle models, clothing, and written signs. Range is limited by the power and spread of the IR LEDs, especially at 940 nm where the light is more covert but weaker.
Thermal cameras highlight temperature contrast, not fine lines or colours. They excel at detection rather than identification. You can tell that something warm is present, even if you can’t make out exact features.
Where you’d use each
Infrared cameras are common in home and business CCTV, outdoor monitoring, and basic night-vision tasks.
Thermal cameras are common in building diagnostics, electrical and mechanical inspections, perimeter monitoring, wildlife spotting, and search work where heat stands out more clearly than visible detail.
Cost and setup
Infrared systems use familiar video hardware and tend to be more affordable. Setup feels similar to a normal CCTV camera.
Thermal cameras use specialist sensors and lenses, which makes them more expensive. Reading thermal images also takes a bit more practice.
Infrared vs thermal camera – comparison table
Here’s a simple side-by-side view of the main differences.
|
Aspect |
Infrared Camera (night-vision style) |
Thermal Camera (heat-sensing) |
|
What it detects |
Reflected near-infrared light from LEDs or ambient sources |
Emitted long-wave infrared radiation (heat) from objects |
|
Image appearance |
Black and white CCTV footage at night, with clear shapes. |
Heat map look; brightness/colour shows temperature differences. |
|
Typical wavelength band |
Around 850–940 nm (near-infrared) |
Roughly 7.5–14 μm (thermal infrared) |
|
Light needed? |
Yes – needs IR illumination (built-in LEDs or ambient IR). |
No – works in total darkness; only needs heat contrast. |
|
Performance in darkness |
Good within LED range; limited beyond that. |
Very good; not dependent on visible or IR lighting. |
|
Through normal glass? |
Yes, behaves like a regular camera. |
No, glass blocks long-wave IR; uses special lenses. |
|
Sensitivity to conditions |
Can suffer in fog, dust, or smoke if IR light is obstructed |
Less affected by such visual obstructions; more robust in tricky environments |
|
Best for |
Identification – faces, plates, visual detail. |
Detection and diagnosis – hot/cold spots, hidden issues. |
|
Common uses |
Home/office CCTV, night-vision security, basic monitoring. |
Building surveys, electrical/mechanical checks, perimeter and rescue. |
|
Typical cost level |
Generally lower for comparable resolutions. |
Generally higher due to specialist sensors and optics. |
Thermal vs Infrared Camera: Which Should You Choose?
There isn’t a single “best” option in the thermal vs infrared camera debate. The right choice depends on what you actually need to see, and where you plan to use the camera.
Choose an infrared camera if:
- You want clear night-time video around your home or business
- You need to recognise faces, vehicles, or clothing
- You plan to review footage as evidence if something happens
An infrared CCTV camera gives you familiar video. It shows people and objects in a way you can understand at a glance. For typical home security – doors, drives, gardens, small car parks – a good near-IR camera usually makes the most sense.
This is where two eufy options stand out. Both rely on strong near-infrared night performance and 4K clarity, but each one suits a slightly different type of property and monitoring style.
The eufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit works well if you want dependable, high-quality coverage without much fuss. Its 4K cameras use an f/1.0 lens and MaxColor Vision, which helps them pull in more light and keep colour even when the scene is dim. That makes it easier to see faces, clothing, and number plates at night instead of watching a grey blur.
Power is handled by SolarPlus 2.0 panels built into each camera, with an extra panel included if you have a spot that doesn’t get much sun. Once everything is mounted, the system mostly takes care of itself. Radar and PIR sensors work together with on-device AI to focus on people, vehicles, and pets, which helps reduce the kind of false alerts you get from shadows or branches.
Footage saves locally through the HomeBase S380, starting with 16 GB and expandable up to 16 TB, so you’re not tied to cloud storage or monthly fees. If you want something simple, reliable, and bright enough to hold its own in low light, the S3 Pro kit fits that role well.
The eufyCam S4 is built for situations where a fixed camera isn’t quite enough. It uses a clever triple-lens design: a 4K wide-angle lens for constant coverage at the top, and a dual-2K-lens 360° PTZ module below that can tilt and zoom when it needs a closer look.
The system blends both views, so you never lose the big picture while the PTZ lens follows a person or vehicle. That tracking can reach roughly 50 metres, which helps if you have a long drive or a wider stretch of land to cover.
It also uses a large 5.5W SolarPlus 2.0 panel that you can mount separately from the camera. This gives you more freedom to catch the sun even if your ideal camera position sits in the shade. When you connect S4 to HomeBase S380, you also unlock BionicMind face recognition and expandable local storage, so the system can learn who belongs there and log footage without relying on cloud plans.
The S4 also adds deterrence features—red and blue warning lights and a 105 dB siren—along with radar and PIR detection to cut down on unnecessary alerts. If you plug it in, you can switch on 24/7 recording as well, which is useful for key entrances or spots where constant visibility matters.
Choose a thermal camera if:
- You want to track heat loss in walls, roofs, or windows
- You’re checking radiators, underfloor heating, or pipework
- You work with electrics or machinery and need to check fuse boards, motors, pumps, bearings, or process lines for early signs of overheating.
A thermal camera lets you see temperature differences that a normal or infrared camera simply can’t show. If you’re serious about inspections or diagnostics, thermal imaging is the right tool, even if the up-front cost is higher.
Conclusion
Choosing between an infrared vs thermal camera comes down to what you need to see. Infrared suits clear night-time security and everyday monitoring, while thermal imaging reveals heat patterns you can’t pick up with normal video. Once you know whether you need recognition or detection, the choice becomes straightforward. For most homes and small sites, a strong infrared system is enough. For inspections or heat-based checks, thermal is the better tool. Understanding the difference helps you pick the camera that actually solves your problem.
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FAQs
Do bugs show up on thermal imaging?
Yes, some bugs do show up on thermal imaging, but with a few caveats. Thermal cameras don’t see “through” walls; they pick up temperature differences on the surface. Large clusters, nests or hives of insects – such as termites, wasps or bees – often generate enough heat for the camera to spot as hot or cold patches. Single, small insects are harder to see unless they’re warm and close to the lens.
Do infrared cameras work in daylight?
Yes, infrared cameras work in daylight. They don’t rely on visible light to function. Instead, they detect infrared radiation, which is present at all times. In bright sun, some surfaces may warm up and slightly reduce contrast, but the camera will still produce clear, usable images. Daylight won’t damage the sensor or interfere with performance, so IR cameras can operate effectively both day and night.
What is better, thermal or infrared?
Neither is “better” in every situation; they’re built for different jobs. A thermal camera measures heat, so it’s brilliant for spotting people, animals or heat leaks in complete darkness or through smoke and light fog, but images are less detailed and the kit is usually pricier. An infrared (IR-illuminated) camera gives sharper, more natural-looking footage at night and is cheaper, but it relies on some light or built-in IR LEDs.
What are the disadvantages of infrared cameras?
Infrared cameras often need built-in IR illumination to work well in darkness, so their performance drops off at longer ranges or if the IR light doesn’t reach the subject. Their images are usually black-and-white or grayscale, which can make it harder to identify fine detail like colours or small markings. Glare or reflections from glass or shiny surfaces can also distort the image. Finally, environmental factors such as fog, rain or heavy dust may reduce visibility.
