Thermal Camera Global Market Report 2026

A thermal camera, also known as an infrared camera or thermal imager, is a device designed to detect and measure the heat emitted by objects and convert this data into an image. These cameras can measure temperatures from a distance, which makes them valuable for assessing areas that are hazardous or hard to access. Thermal cameras find applications in various fields, including building inspections, medical diagnostics, security and surveillance, and industrial inspections.

The primary types of thermal cameras are cooled infrared detectors and uncooled infrared detectors. Cooled infrared detectors use a cooling mechanism to minimize thermal noise and increase the sensitivity of the detector, leading to higher resolution and improved performance in detecting thermal radiation. These detectors can be either handheld or mounted and are used for various purposes such as monitoring, inspection, security, surveillance, detection, measurement, and search and rescue operations. They are employed by a range of end users, including those in the military, defense, industrial, commercial, life sciences, healthcare, residential, and automotive sectors.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs have posed challenges for the thermal camera market by increasing the cost of imported infrared detectors, optical components, and electronic modules. This has affected production timelines and supply chains, particularly in regions like Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America where manufacturing and assembly are concentrated. Military, defense, and industrial inspection segments are most impacted due to reliance on high-precision imported components. However, tariffs have also encouraged local manufacturing investments and the development of cost-efficient domestic solutions, providing some positive momentum for regional markets.

The thermal camera market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides thermal camera market statistics, including thermal camera industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a thermal camera market share, detailed thermal camera market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the thermal camera industry. This thermal camera market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The thermal camera market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.54 billion in 2025 to $4.94 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption in industrial inspections, growth in building and energy audits, military and defense applications demand, advancements in infrared sensor technology, rising safety and security requirements.

The thermal camera market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.88 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to integration with ai-powered analytics, expansion in healthcare diagnostics, adoption in autonomous vehicles, increased use in smart infrastructure, growth in environmental monitoring. Major trends in the forecast period include miniaturization & portability, advanced sensor technology, multi-spectral thermal imaging, real-time data analytics, integration with drones & robotics.

The growth of the automotive sector is expected to drive the expansion of the thermal camera market going forward. The automotive sector includes industries involved in designing, manufacturing, marketing, and maintaining motor vehicles, such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, and their components. This sector's expansion is fueled by factors including rising demand for personal and commercial vehicles, technological advancements in electric and autonomous vehicles, growth in emerging markets, and innovations in connectivity and automation that enhance vehicle performance and safety. Thermal cameras are employed in the automotive industry to improve safety by detecting overheating components, enhancing night vision, and supporting autonomous driving and driver assistance systems. For example, in March 2025, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, a Belgium-based non-profit trade association, reported that global car sales reached 74.6 million units in 2024, marking a 2.5% increase from 2023. Therefore, the expansion of the automotive sector is driving the growth of the thermal camera market.

Major companies in the thermal camera industry are developing advanced solutions, such as non-contact high-resolution imaging with enhanced environmental adaptability, to tackle the challenges of monitoring extreme-temperature conditions in metallurgy, die-casting, and coal chemical industries. This technology allows devices to capture precise thermal images from a distance while maintaining reliable performance in harsh environments. For example, in June 2025, Raythink, a China-based technology company, introduced an ultra-high temperature thermal camera capable of monitoring industrial processes above 2000°C. This innovation enables accurate thermal measurement in extreme high-temperature environments, where conventional thermal cameras are ineffective, representing a significant advancement in industrial thermal monitoring.

In January 2023, Multi Radiance Veterinary, a US company specializing in veterinary laser therapy, formed a partnership with Digatherm Thermal Imaging for an undisclosed amount. This collaboration aimed to enhance Multi Radiance Veterinary's product offerings by incorporating Digatherm's thermal imaging technology, with an emphasis on improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes in veterinary care. Digatherm Thermal Imaging is recognized for its innovative thermal imaging solutions that help detect early signs of inflammation and injury in animals.

Major companies operating in the thermal camera market are Mobotix AG, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd., Ametek Inc., Fluke Corporation, Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, SICK AG, Axis Communications AB, Jenoptik AG, Testo SE & Co. KGaA, Teledyne FLIR LLC, Seek Thermal Inc., LumaSense Technologies Inc., Optris GmbH, Thermoteknix Systems Ltd., Opgal Optronic Industries Ltd., PCE Instruments, Aerialtronics BV, Extech Instruments LLC, Raptor Photonics Ltd., Variohm Eurosensor Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the thermal camera market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the thermal camera market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the thermal camera market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The thermal camera market consists of sales of thermal imaging cameras for smartphones, thermal drones, CCTV thermal cameras, night vision cameras and medical thermal cameras. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Thermal Camera Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses thermal camera market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for thermal camera ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The thermal camera market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Cooled Infrared Detector; Uncooled Infrared Detector
• 2) By Mobility: Handheld Fixed; Handheld Mounted
• 3) By Application: Monitoring; Inspection; Security; Surveillance; Detection; Measurement; Search; Rescue Operations; Other Applications
• 4) By End User: Military; Defense; Industrial; Commercial; Life Sciences; Healthcare; Residential; Automotive; Other End Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Cooled Infrared Detector: Liquid Nitrogen-Cooled Detectors; Stirling-Cooled Detectors; Dual-Use Cooled Detectors
• 2) By Uncooled Infrared Detector: Microbolometer Detectors; Thermal Detection Arrays; MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) Detectors
• Companies Mentioned: Mobotix AG; Raytheon Technologies Corporation; Northrop Grumman Corporation; BAE Systems plc; Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd.; Ametek Inc.; Fluke Corporation; Kongsberg Gruppen ASA; SICK AG; Axis Communications AB; Jenoptik AG; Testo SE & Co. KGaA; Teledyne FLIR LLC; Seek Thermal Inc.; LumaSense Technologies Inc.; Optris GmbH; Thermoteknix Systems Ltd.; Opgal Optronic Industries Ltd.; PCE Instruments; Aerialtronics BV; Extech Instruments LLC; Raptor Photonics Ltd.; Variohm Eurosensor Ltd.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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