Darkness does not impair their operation

IR cameras depend on IR radiation as opposed to normal cameras that depend on visible light. Whereas normal cameras work within a wavelength range of 450-750 nanometers, a wavelength of 14000 nanometers is favorable for IR cameras.IR cameras can also be referred to as thermographic cameras. They are classified on basis of whether the detectors are cooled or un-cooled. The cameras do not require ambient light conditions (Sadowski 37).

Hence total darkness does not impair their operation. Rescue operations in smoke filled buildings are usually successful courtesy of these cameras. The cameras are characterized by a single color channel. This is observed because the sensors are unable to differentiate the wavelengths within the IR range (Bhusan 70) Color cameras therefore have a complex structure. The display of images is sometimes in pseudo-color.

In this context, the variations in color rather than the intensity are employed in the display of the signal. Density slicing makes it possible to differentiate images from IR cameras. Temperature measurement is characterized white, yellow and red, and blue colors for the warmest, intermediate and coolest parts respectively. Unlike normal cameras, IR cameras have a lower resolution and are more expensive (Sadowski 39).