Thermal imaging camera vs pyrometer
Currently, a pyrometer or a thermal imaging camera can be used for non-contact temperature measurements. However, it should be understood that a pyrometer is not an alternative to a thermal imaging camera, while it should also be remembered that every thermal imaging camera is a pyrometer, but not every pyrometer is a camera. While a pyrometer can successfully serve as a thermometer (for point surface measurement), it does not show the overall temperature distribution the way a thermal imaging camera does. Some people in the measurement industry argue that many measurements can be taken with a pyrometer and one can “visualize” where each temperature is located. However, this is a misconception. It should be remembered that a major limitation of a pyrometer is the size of the “measurement spot”; it depends on the distance from which the pyrometer takes measurements. Most often, it is large enough that, in addition to the temperature of the point of interest, we obtain an averaged temperature for the point and the background; the measurement is incorrect, and incorrect conclusions can be drawn from it.

Another advantage that thermal imaging cameras have over pyrometers is their versatility. When purchasing a device for non-contact temperature measurement, you certainly have some specific intended use in mind for it. Experience shows that after purchasing the equipment, it is used to carry out many different tests, sometimes significantly different from the original purpose. Here, a thermal imaging camera has a huge advantage over a pyrometer, because it actually has only one basic application, which is point temperature measurement.