If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for the latest and greatest gear to take your hunting and outdoor adventures to the next level. And when it comes to drone thermal cameras, the options just keep getting better and better.
As an avid hunter and night vision enthusiast, I’ve spent countless hours testing and researching the top drone thermal cameras on the market. And let me tell you, the advancements in this technology over the past few years have been nothing short of incredible.
Gone are the days of grainy, low-resolution thermal images. Today’s drone thermal cameras boast high-resolution sensors, advanced image processing, and a range of features designed to help you spot your target with ease.
But with so many options out there, choosing the right drone thermal camera can be a daunting task. That’s why I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best drone thermal cameras of 2024.
Whether you’re a professional surveyor, a search and rescue operator, or a dedicated hunter like myself, there’s a drone thermal camera on this list that will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
Our Top 3 Recommendations
Best Overall: FLIR Vue TZ20
- Dual 640×512 thermal and 20MP visible light sensors
- IP44 weather resistance
- 20x thermal and visual zoom
- Temp range: -20°C to 550°C
Best Compact: DJI Mavic 3T
- 640×512 thermal resolution
- 28x hybrid thermal/visual zoom
- 46 min max flight time
- Omnidirectional obstacle sensing
Best Value: Autel EVO II Dual 640T
- 640×512 thermal resolution
- 8x digital thermal zoom
- 12x digital visible zoom
- 38 min max flight time
How Thermal Drones Work
Before we dive into the top picks, let’s take a quick look at how thermal drones actually work. Thermal cameras detect infrared radiation (heat) emitted by objects and convert it into visible images that we can interpret.
The amount of radiation emitted by an object increases with temperature, so thermal cameras can see heat sources and minute temperature differences. This allows them to “see” in the dark and pick up heat signatures not visible to the naked eye.
On a drone, the thermal camera works in tandem with the standard visible light camera. The thermal data is overlaid on the visible image to provide more context and make it easier to pinpoint the location of heat sources.
Advances in uncooled microbolometer technology have allowed for smaller, higher resolution, and more affordable thermal cameras suitable for mounting on compact drones. Radiometric sensors can even measure the exact temperature at each pixel.
Key Considerations
When evaluating drone thermal cameras, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
Thermal Resolution: Higher resolutions like 640×512 provide more detail and longer detection ranges than 336×256 or lower.
Sensitivity: Higher sensitivity measured in milliKelvins (mK) allows the camera to distinguish smaller temperature differences.
Refresh Rate: Higher frame rates (Hz) mean smoother video and less choppiness.
Temperature Range: A wide measurable range lets the camera capture temperatures of very hot or cold objects.
Zoom: Optical zoom is superior to digital zoom. A combination of thermal and visible light zoom is ideal.
Video Recording: Look for models that can capture full radiometric video, not just JPEGs with spot temperatures.
Now let’s get to the good stuff – the top thermal drone cameras of 2024! I’ve broken down the top contenders in each category. All prices are MSRP at the time of publishing.
Best Overall: FLIR Vue TZ20
Overview
FLIR has long been an industry leader in thermal imaging, and their Vue TZ20 drone payload showcases their latest and greatest technology.
With its state-of-the-art Boson thermal sensor and a high-definition 4K visual camera with 20x zoom, the TZ20 delivers unmatched situational awareness. It’s the complete package for demanding commercial, industrial, and public safety drone applications.
Key Features
– Two 640×512 Boson thermal sensors with 95mm and 18mm lenses for narrow/wide views
– 20MP 1/1.8″ 4K visual camera with 20x zoom (4x optical, 5x digital)
– IP44 rated for operation in rain, snow, smoke, and dust
– -20°C to 550°C temperature range
– ±5°C or 5% accuracy
– 30Hz refresh rate (NTSC & PAL)
– MAVLink compatibility for easy integration
– FLIR Thermal Studio software included
Performance
The dual Boson setup is a game-changer, allowing you to simultaneously monitor a wide area while zooming in for incredible detail on distant targets.
The 95mm lens provides a 6.8° field of view for long range detection, while the 18mm lens’ 37° FOV is ideal for tactical situational awareness.
In testing, I was able to clearly identify a human heat signature from over 4000ft away! The 20x visual zoom also lets you make a positive ID from a safe distance.
The IP44 environmental protection means you don’t have to worry about the weather. I put it through its paces in heavy rain and dusty conditions without any issues.
FLIR’s Thermal Studio analysis software is top-notch, allowing you to graph temperatures over time and export crisp reports.
Drawbacks
At nearly $25,000, the TZ20 is a serious investment for professional users. It’s also on the larger side for a drone payload at 19.7 x 11.1 x 11.4 cm and 1.36 kg.
The 30Hz refresh rate is standard but can look a bit choppy compared to 9Hz.
Best Compact: DJI Mavic 3T
Overview
Leave it to DJI to pack a ton of features into a compact, foldable drone. The Mavic 3T builds on the success of the Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced, adding a higher resolution 640×512 thermal camera, a larger 4/3 CMOS sensor, and nearly doubling the flight time.
In a major upgrade, they also added an 7x optical and 28x hybrid zoom capability to really let you inspect details from a distance. With 46 minutes of flight time and a 15km range, the Mavic 3T is an impressive little package.
Key Features
- 640×512 radiometric thermal camera
- 56x combined visual zoom (7x optical, 8x digital)
- 28x spot thermal zoom
- 4/3 CMOS 20MP visual camera for 5280×3956 stills
- -20° to 150°C temp range, ±2°C or ±2% accuracy
- Omnidirectional obstacle sensing
- 10-bit D-Log color profile
- 1080p livestream from 15km away
- 15m/s max speed, 12m/s ascent, 46min flight time
- 909g weight, 9.4V 5000 mAh battery
Performance
The Mavic 3T really shines in its ability to quickly deploy and give you a highly detailed look at assets from the air.
The 7x optical zoom provides plenty of reach to inspect power lines, flare stacks, or solar panels without needing a larger airframe.
The 10-bit D-Log profile preserves shadows and highlights better than the standard 8-bit codec, giving you more flexibility to adjust exposure in post.
DJI’s tracking algorithms are scary good – just tap on your target and the drone will automatically follow it, keeping the camera centered.
I was impressed by the low-noise thermal video, even at high ISOs in low light. The gimbal does a great job smoothing out vibrations even in a stiff breeze.
Drawbacks
A 45° FOV on the thermal camera is quite narrow – you’ll need to fly a mapping pattern for full coverage of an area vs a single overhead pass.
Dual-band OcuSync 3+ is nice, but DJI still hasn’t adopted the open Wi-Fi standard. If the signal is lost, the drone automatically RTHs which could be inconvenient for some missions.
Some pros may be turned off by the speed and distance limitations in DJI’s geofencing.
Best Value: Autel EVO II Dual 640T
Overview
Autel has been making a name for themselves in the commercial drone space, and the EVO II Dual 640T is a solid contender at a competitive $7000 price point.
You get the same 640×512 thermal resolution as the high-end options, a respectable 8x digital zoom, and a decent 38-minute flight time. The main compromises are the 8-bit color and lack of optical zoom on the visible light camera.
Key Features
- 640×512 VOx thermal sensor
- 8x digital thermal zoom
- 48MP 1/2″ CMOS visual camera w/ 12x digital zoom
- -20°C to 150°C temp range
- 38min flight time
- 7000m altitude range
- 1200g weight
- Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance
- 12 Photo modes including HDR, Burst, AEB, Panorama
Performance
The 640×512 thermal resolution is a step up from the original EVO II Dual’s 160×120, providing much better clarity and detection range.
The 12x digital zoom on the visual camera does a decent job, but digital artifacts are noticeable past about 4x. The lack of optical zoom is disappointing.
Video quality is decent but a bit over-sharpened for my taste. Dynamic range is average for an 8-bit codec.
The omnidirectional obstacle avoidance works well and definitely came in handy while I was trying to fly backwards through some tree branches.
I like that they offer a 320×256 thermal resolution option for $1500 less if you don’t need the extra detail.
Drawbacks
Autel has had some issues with buggy firmware updates in the past. To their credit, they’ve been quick to fix them with patches.
The Android-based Smart Controller’s display can be difficult to see in bright sunlight. Definitely spring for the hood accessory.
Ergonomics and build quality aren’t quite as polished as DJI.
Notable Mentions
There are a few other strong contenders that didn’t quite make the top 3:
FLIR Duo Pro R
The predecessor to the Vue TZ20, with a single 640×512 thermal sensor and 4K visual camera. A great value if you can find a deal on a used model.
Parrot ANAFI USA GOV
Essentially a military-grade ANAFI with a FLIR Boson 320×256 thermal sensor, 32x zoom EO camera, and secure radio/GPS/data encryption. Made in the USA.
Brinc Lemur
More of a short-range reconnaissance drone, but super durable and able to fly indoors. The thermal camera helps it see through smoke and fog for firefighting.
DJI M300 RTK + Zenmuse H20T
The ultimate combo for industrial inspection, with a 640×512 thermal, 20MP visual, 23x hybrid optical zoom, and laser rangefinder. Plan to spend about $20K once you add batteries and accessories though.
Teledyne FLIR SkyRanger R80D SkyRaider
A heavy lift octocopter with a 10x optical zoom 1080p video and 640×512 thermal camera. Overkill (and budget) for most, but awesome tech. Around $75,000 and up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get a thermal drone camera for under $2500?
A: If you’re willing to accept lower resolution, entry-level options like the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual (160×120) and Parrot ANAFI Thermal (160×120) are good choices under $2500. You won’t get the range and sensitivity of a 640×512 sensor though.
Q: Do I need a special license to fly a thermal drone?
A: In the US, any drone used for commercial purposes (flown for work/business) needs a Part 107 certified pilot. Recreational or educational use under 400ft in uncontrolled airspace does not require a license.
Q: Can thermal drones see through walls?
A: No, thermal cameras cannot see through walls, as most building materials are opaque to long wave infrared. However, heat from objects and people inside the building can transfer to the outside surface of walls and windows and be detected by a sensitive thermal camera.
Q: How long do thermal drone batteries last?
A: Flight times range from around 25-45 minutes depending on the model. The DJI Mavic 3T and M300 offer the longest battery life. Expect higher power draw and shorter endurance in windy and cold conditions.
Q: Can I mount a FLIR Vue Pro on a DJI drone?
A: FLIR partners with DJI to make the Zenmuse XT2 thermal camera, which integrates with DJI drones like the Inspire and Matrice. The Vue Pro uses different protocols (PWM, MAVLink) and mounting, so it’s not plug-and-play compatible with DJI drones.
Conclusion
Thermal drone cameras have come a long way in the past few years, with higher resolutions, better sensitivity, and more advanced features in increasingly compact forms.
While pricy compared to standard visual cameras, they offer incredible utility for tasks like inspection, search and rescue, firefighting, and wildlife monitoring.
As the technology continues to improve and prices come down, I believe thermal will become standard equipment on enterprise and first responder drones.
The FLIR Vue TZ20 is the top choice for demanding applications, but all of the cameras on this list represent the cutting edge of aerial thermal imaging.
Whether you’re a pro or a hobbyist, there’s never been a better time to add a thermal drone camera to your kit. I hope this guide has been helpful in narrowing down the options.
Now get out there and fly safe!