The critical factors in determining the most appropriate thermal camera to keep in the tool bag often come down to the camera’s intended use and how often one plans to use it. After all, FLIR thermal cameras for residential, commercial, and industrial use can range in price from just a few hundred US dollars to high five figures with significant leaps in performance in between. The right handheld thermal camera will provide the features and capabilities the user needs at a price they can afford.

As there are dozens of specifications one can compare between cameras, it’s crucial to understand which can be the most helpful to check when evaluating the various thermal camera series offered by FLIR.

Here are four of the most important factors to consider:

• Resolution: Generally, the lower the cost of a camera, the lower the resolution. Even with a lower resolution, these cameras can be effective at close range to examine easily accessible targets, but will struggle to provide effective visual detail necessary to make meaningful decisions for very small targets or those many meters away.
• Focus: Lower-end cameras typically have a fixed focus that requires the user to move the camera in order to achieve a crisp image. This can become an issue if the job requires precise measurements. An out-of-focus image means a less accurate temperature measurement, regardless of a given camera’s true thermal resolution.
• Field of View (FOV): For work close-up, a lens with a wide angle FOV (45° or higher) will be more useful than a telephoto lens (typically 12° or 6°), which is primarily for longer distance work. For those who require both near and far inspection capabilities, a device with interchangeable lenses provides the greatest utility.
• Battery: The battery standby time, the expected battery life from continuous usage, and the option to swap out batteries quickly all need to be factored into a decision. For those who only require quick use of a thermal camera once every few weeks or so, standby time will take precedence. Conversely, those who are expecting a camera to be used all day may want long battery life and the ability to easily swap out batteries to complete the work uninterrupted.

With this in mind, below are three handheld thermal camera models with price points and features that can serve as a good starting point for determining the most appropriate camera for one’s needs: the FLIR E96, the FLIR E8 Pro, and the FLIR C5.