Infrared Cameras—Qualitative and Quantitative

The parameters used for assessing the performance of IR cameras are complex and the methods used for testing performance have generated some controversy among manufacturers and users of these instruments. 

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Since a thermal image is made up of a great number of discrete point measurements, however, many of the performance parameters of IR thermal imagers are the same as those of radiation thermometers (point sensing IR radiometers that read out in temperature). Others derive from, or are extensions of, radiation thermometer performance parameters. 

Qualitative cameras, also called thermal viewers, differ from quantitative cameras, also called imaging radiometers, in that thermal viewers do not provide temperature or thermal energy measurements. Therefore, some of the parameters discussed will be of little importance to users who require qualitative rather than quantitative thermal images. 

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