What type of imaging do thermal cameras provide?

Thermal cameras provide heat radiated imaging, which allows them to detect and visualize infrared radiation emitted by objects, particularly their heat signatures. Unlike standard cameras that capture visible light, thermal imaging captures the spectrum of infrared radiation that is invisible to the human eye. This capability enables thermal cameras to create images based on temperature differences, revealing the heat emitted by items or individuals in a scene.

For example, warm objects will appear brighter on a thermal image compared to cooler surroundings, making thermal cameras invaluable in various applications, such as building inspections, medical diagnostics, firefighting, and security. This unique ability to visualize heat radiation is what distinguishes thermal imaging from other forms of imaging, such as standard light images, which rely on visible light, or 3D dimensional imaging, which focuses on creating depth and spatial relationships rather than thermal characteristics.