Approved cameras & drones: Thermographic

Approved cameras & drones: Thermographic


Radiometric stills

DJI M4T (Matrice 4 Enterprise Thermal) 

  1. Recommended for inexperienced partners
  2. Smallest, lightest thermal capable drone available. Simple to use, and kit packs into a "carry-on" sized case.
  3. "Friendliest" option for new pilots
  4. Lower quality thermal imagery than more expensive alternatives (but still meets IEC resolution standards).
  5. Highest on-site efficiency due to fast 0.7 second capture interval (compared to 2 second w/H20T)
  6. 8,000€ (Drone + 9 Batteries)

DJI M3T (Mavic 3 Enterprise Thermal)

  1. Our previous recommendation. Replaced by M4T Q2 2025
  2. Data quality is the same as M4T

DJI H30T (Zenmuse H30T)

  1. Recommended for experienced partners
  2. 1280x1024 resolution thermal sensor - Compared to 640x512 of previous payloads
  3. Most efficient on site due to fast capture interval plus larger image footprint for a given GSD
  4. Highest quality images, and longer focal length allows pilot to fly higher whilst maintaining resolution (better visibility)
  5. But, longer setup/move times due to bulk (challenging to operate when vehicular access not possible) 
  6. Compatible with DJI M300/M350 + Newest M400 series drones
  7. 32,000€ (Camera, M350 drone + 8 battery sets)

DJI H20T (Zenmuse H20T) 

  1. Compatible, not recommended
  2. Compatible with DJI's flagship M300/M350 series drones. 
  3. Common amongst our DSPs who prefer to operate a single drone and change camera payload based on the task. 
  4. Highest quality images, and longer focal length allows pilot to fly higher whilst maintaining resolution (better visibility)
  5. Least efficient on site due to 2 second capture interval and longer setup/move times due to bulk (challenging to operate when vehicular access not possible) 
  6. 26,000€ (Camera, M350 drone + 8 battery sets)

DJI M30T (Matrice 30 Thermal) 

  1. Compatible, not recommended
  2. Most commonly found with DSPs who specialise in asset inspection and search and rescue as it can fly in a range of weather conditions (IP55 rated) 
  3. Sits between M3T and H20T/M300 in size and cost. Same thermal image quality as M3T but in larger, more expensive airframe. 
  4. Low on-site efficiency due to slow 2 second capture interval, but reasonably compact for faster move times
  5. 16,000€ (Camera + 10 battery sets)

Radiometric video

DJI FLIR XT2 Camera 640x512 30Hz (13mm or 19mm version)

Compatible with DJI M200/ M300 series drones

Camera is no longer manufactured. Used market only.


FLIR DUO ProR  640x512 30Hz (13mm or 19mm version)

Compatible with any multi-rotor drone, but requires custom gimbal/drone integration

Camera is no longer manufactured. Used market only.


Incompatible / Not recommended 

DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced (M2EA)

  1. ❌Flight speed limited by slow image capture rate. (2 seconds minimum compared to 0.7 w/M3T) This equates to at least double time on site. 
  2. ❌Inconsistent thermal data quality. Temperature gradients affected by frame composition. I.E different artefacts visible in images captured at end of rows compared to mid-table.
  3. ❌Inconsistent drone yaw behaviour during data collection. Pilot must pause at the end of each table and manually realign drone to north. This adds to time on site and can affect our data processing

Autel MAX 4T

  1. ❌ Incompatible radiometric image format

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