FLIR K2 vs K33 vs K85-N Thermal Camera Comparison

FLIR K2 vs K33 vs K85-NThermal imaging cameras compared

The short answer: the K2 is the compact personal TIC for putting thermal imaging on every firefighter; the K33 steps up to 240 × 180 with FSX® and a 60 Hz refresh rate; the K85-N brings 640 × 480 single-range imaging and the FLIR Responder App, and FLIR lists it as fully certified to NFPA 1930:2025.

All three are FLIR K-Series thermal imaging cameras built for firefighting: IP67 and rated for a 2 m drop onto concrete. They differ in resolution, thermal sensitivity, temperature range, image modes, recording and connectivity. Compare them side by side below.

FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N specifications at a glance
Specification	FLIR K2Full K2 page	FLIR K33Full K33 page	FLIR K85-NFull K85-N page
Imaging
IR resolution	160 × 120 (19,200 pixels)	240 × 180 (43,200 pixels)	640 × 480
Thermal sensitivity / NETD	<100 mK @86°F (30°C)	<40 mK @86°F (30°C)	<60 mK
Field of view	47° × 35°	51° × 38°	53° × 40°
Refresh rate / image frequency	9 Hz	60 Hz	30 Hz image frequency 60 Hz display frame rate
Display	320 × 240 pixel, 3 in backlit LCD	320 × 240 pixel, 4 in backlit LCD	4" LCD, 640 × 480, backlit
Image enhancement	Multi Spectral Dynamic Imaging (MSX®)	Flexible Scene Enhancement (FSX®)	Digital enhancement, Flexible Scene Enhancement (FSX®)
Measurement & modes
Object temperature range	-4°F to 302°F (-20°C to 150°C) 32°F to 932°F (0°C to 500°C)	-4°F to 302°F (-20°C to 150°C) 32°F to 1202°F (0°C to 650°C)	Single range solution operating: -20°C to 650°C (-4°F to 1202°F)
Image modes	Seven imaging modes (switch in FLIR Tools®)	Fixed color scale, TI Basic	TI Basic, Search, Detection, High Heat, White Hot
Recording & connectivity
Image & video storage	None	No JPEG storage	Internal flash memory: Standard JPEG images, MPEG4 video
Live streaming	Not offered	Not offered	Via FLIR Responder App
USB	USB micro-B	USB mini-B	USB-C
Heat & toughness
Operating temperature range	14°F to 131°F (−10°C to 55°C) – infinity 185°F (85°C) – 15 minutes 302°F (150°C) – 10 minutes 500°F (260°C) – 3 minutes	-20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F): infinity 150°C (302°F): 15 min. 260°C (500°F): 5 min.	-20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F) 150°C (302°F): 15 min 260°C (500°F): 5 min
Encapsulation	IP 67 (IEC 60529)	IP 67 (IEC 60529)	IP67 (IEC 60529)
Drop	6.6 ft (2 m)	2 m (6.6 ft.) on concrete floor (IEC 60068-2-31)	2 m (6.6 ft) on concrete floor (IEC 60068-2-31)
Power & weight
Battery operating time	Approximately 4 hours at 77°F (25°C) and with typical use	>5 hours at 25°C (77°F) ambient temperature and typical use	Approx. 4 hours @ 25°C (77°F) ambient temperature and typical use
Weight	1.54 lbs (0.7 kg) with battery	1.1 ±0.05 kg (2.4 ±0.1 lb.)	—
Standards & ordering
Certifications — compliance	—	—	NFPA 1930:2025
FLIR part number	73701-0101	72203-0411	18703-0301

FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N specifications at a glance

Specification

FLIR K2Full K2 page

FLIR K33Full K33 page

FLIR K85-NFull K85-N page

Imaging

IR resolution

160 × 120 (19,200 pixels)

240 × 180 (43,200 pixels)

640 × 480

Thermal sensitivity / NETD

<100 mK @86°F (30°C)

<40 mK @86°F (30°C)

<60 mK

Field of view

47° × 35°

51° × 38°

53° × 40°

Refresh rate / image frequency

9 Hz

60 Hz

30 Hz image frequency
60 Hz display frame rate

Display

320 × 240 pixel, 3 in backlit LCD

320 × 240 pixel, 4 in backlit LCD

4" LCD, 640 × 480, backlit

Image enhancement

Multi Spectral Dynamic Imaging (MSX®)

Flexible Scene Enhancement (FSX®)

Digital enhancement, Flexible Scene Enhancement (FSX®)

Measurement & modes

Object temperature range

-4°F to 302°F (-20°C to 150°C)
32°F to 932°F (0°C to 500°C)

-4°F to 302°F (-20°C to 150°C)
32°F to 1202°F (0°C to 650°C)

Single range solution operating: -20°C to 650°C (-4°F to 1202°F)

Image modes

Seven imaging modes (switch in FLIR Tools®)

Fixed color scale, TI Basic

TI Basic, Search, Detection, High Heat, White Hot

Recording & connectivity

Image & video storage

None

No JPEG storage

Internal flash memory: Standard JPEG images, MPEG4 video

Live streaming

Not offered

Via FLIR Responder App

USB

USB micro-B

USB mini-B

USB-C

Heat & toughness

Operating temperature range

14°F to 131°F (−10°C to 55°C) – infinity
185°F (85°C) – 15 minutes
302°F (150°C) – 10 minutes
500°F (260°C) – 3 minutes

-20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F): infinity
150°C (302°F): 15 min.
260°C (500°F): 5 min.

-20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
150°C (302°F): 15 min
260°C (500°F): 5 min

Encapsulation

IP 67 (IEC 60529)

IP67 (IEC 60529)

Drop

6.6 ft (2 m)

2 m (6.6 ft.) on concrete floor (IEC 60068-2-31)

2 m (6.6 ft) on concrete floor (IEC 60068-2-31)

Power & weight

Battery operating time

Approximately 4 hours at 77°F (25°C) and with typical use

>5 hours at 25°C (77°F) ambient temperature and typical use

Approx. 4 hours @ 25°C (77°F) ambient temperature and typical use

Weight

1.54 lbs (0.7 kg) with battery

1.1 ±0.05 kg (2.4 ±0.1 lb.)

—

Standards & ordering

Certifications — compliance

—

NFPA 1930:2025

FLIR part number

73701-0101

72203-0411

18703-0301

Personal TIC

FLIR K2

For putting a thermal camera on every member of the crew. FLIR calls the K2 affordable enough to have a Situational Awareness TIC for each rear seat, and compact and lightweight enough to carry anywhere or attach to your gear.

160 × 120 with MSX®MSX® image enhancement adds edge detail to scenes, helping firefighters identify structures and surroundings.
Seven imaging modesSet the camera to one of seven imaging modes depending upon primary use, using free, downloadable FLIR Tools® software.
1.54 lbs (0.7 kg) with batteryAttaches easily to turnouts, with simplified, single-button controls that can be used with heavy gloves.

See full FLIR K2 page

More resolution, many hands

FLIR K33

For crews that want more resolution while keeping cameras in many hands. FLIR built the K33 to be affordable enough for fire crews to have multiple TICs in use at a fire scene.

240 × 180 at <40 mK with FSX®FSX® Flexible Scene Enhancement intensifies the structural and textural details in the thermal image.
60 Hz refresh, 4 in LCDA rapid refresh rate for better on-scene orientation, on a bright, easy-to-see 4" display.
One button, one triggerOne glove-friendly button starts the K33 in TI-Basic mode; pulling and holding the trigger freezes the image.

See full FLIR K33 page

NFPA 1930:2025 certified

FLIR K85-N

For departments that want the highest resolution of the three and a camera that works with an app before, during and after the mission. FLIR: “Fully certified to NFPA 1930:2025, the K85-N gives departments a future-ready firefighting TIC aligned with the newest standard.”

640 × 480, single rangeOne object temperature range, -20°C to 650°C (-4°F to 1202°F), so crews see scene detail without switching ranges.
FLIR Responder AppCamera setup, over-the-air updates, wireless streaming, media handling, reporting, training and post-incident review.
Records to the cameraStandard JPEG images and MPEG4 video to internal flash memory, with a media gallery on the camera and in the FLIR Responder App.

See full FLIR K85-N page

Detector & optics: FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N
Specification	FLIR K2	FLIR K33	FLIR K85-N
Detector
Detector type	Uncooled microbolometer, 7.5–13 µm	Uncooled microbolometer, 7.5–13 µm	Focal plane array (FPA), uncooled microbolometer
Spectral range	7.5–13 µm	7.5–13 µm	7.5 to 14 µm
Pixel pitch	12 µm	25 µm	12 µm
Start-up time	<30 sec (IR image, no GUI)	<17 sec (IR image, no GUI)	—
Optics
f-number	1.1	1.25	—
Focal length	1.9 mm (0.075 in.)	9 mm (0.35 in.)	—
IFOV	6.22 mrad	3.6 mrad	—
Focus	Fixed	Fixed	—
Depth of field	0.1 m (0.33 ft.), infinity	0.84 m to infinity (33 in. to infinity)	1.2 m to infinity (47 in to infinity)
Image
Built-in digital camera	640 × 480 (307,200 pixels); FOV 73° × 61°, adapts to IR lens; sensitivity minimum 10 lux	—	—
Zoom	—	—	2x digital zoom
Image freeze	—	Configurable	—

Detector & optics: FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N

Specification

FLIR K2

FLIR K33

FLIR K85-N

Detector

Detector type

Uncooled microbolometer, 7.5–13 µm

Focal plane array (FPA), uncooled microbolometer

Spectral range

7.5–13 µm

7.5 to 14 µm

Pixel pitch

12 µm

25 µm

12 µm

Start-up time

<30 sec (IR image, no GUI)

<17 sec (IR image, no GUI)

—

Optics

f-number

1.1

1.25

—

Focal length

1.9 mm (0.075 in.)

9 mm (0.35 in.)

—

IFOV

6.22 mrad

3.6 mrad

—

Focus

Fixed

—

Depth of field

0.1 m (0.33 ft.), infinity

0.84 m to infinity (33 in. to infinity)

1.2 m to infinity (47 in to infinity)

Image

Built-in digital camera

640 × 480 (307,200 pixels); FOV 73° × 61°, adapts to IR lens; sensitivity minimum 10 lux

—

Zoom

—

2x digital zoom

Image freeze

—

Configurable

—

Measurement & modes: FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N
Specification	FLIR K2	FLIR K33	FLIR K85-N
Measurement
Accuracy	±7.2°F (±4°C) or ±4% of reading for ambient temperature 50°F to 95°F (10°C to 35°C)	±7.2°F (±4°C) or ±4% of reading for ambient temperature 50°F to 95°F (10°C to 35°C)	±4°C (±7.2°F) or ±6% of reading, for ambient temperature 10°C to 35°C (50°F to 95°F)
Auto-range	Auto, non-selectable	Selectable on/off in FLIR Tools	—
Spotmeters	1	1	—
Isotherm	Yes	Yes	—
Automatic heat detection	Heat-detection mode (hottest 20% of scene is colorized)	—	—
Image modes
Modes	Basic firefighting (default) Black-and-white firefighting Fire Search-and-rescue Heat detection Cold detection Building analysis mode	Fixed color scale, TI Basic (TI Basic fire-fighting mode)	TI Basic Search Detection High Heat White Hot
Changing modes	Free, downloadable FLIR Tools® software	—	—

Measurement & modes: FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N

Specification

FLIR K2

FLIR K33

FLIR K85-N

Measurement

Accuracy

±7.2°F (±4°C) or ±4% of reading for ambient temperature 50°F to 95°F (10°C to 35°C)

±4°C (±7.2°F) or ±6% of reading, for ambient temperature 10°C to 35°C (50°F to 95°F)

Auto-range

Auto, non-selectable

Selectable on/off in FLIR Tools

—

Spotmeters

—

Isotherm

Yes

—

Automatic heat detection

Heat-detection mode (hottest 20% of scene is colorized)

—

Image modes

Modes

Basic firefighting (default)
Black-and-white firefighting
Fire
Search-and-rescue
Heat detection
Cold detection
Building analysis mode

Fixed color scale, TI Basic (TI Basic fire-fighting mode)

TI Basic
Search
Detection
High Heat
White Hot

Changing modes

Free, downloadable FLIR Tools® software

—

Data & connectivity: FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N
Specification	FLIR K2	FLIR K33	FLIR K85-N
Storage & video
Image storage	None	No JPEG storage	Internal flash memory, Standard JPEG
Image storage capacity	—	—	200 files in total; the total number of files varies dependent on the number of saved video clips
Non-radiometric IR video recording	—	—	MPEG4 to internal flash memory
Non-radiometric IR video streaming	—	Uncompressed colorized video using USB	Uncompressed colorized video using USB and MPEG-4 Stream over Wi-Fi to FLIR Responder App
Interfaces
USB	USB micro-B	USB mini-B	USB-C
Updates & data transfer	Update from PC devices	Update from PC devices, data transfer to and from PC	Update via OTA (Wi-Fi using the FLIR Responder App) Legacy support for updates from PC and data transfer to and from PC
Software / app	Works with FLIR Tools software	Compatible with FLIR software: FLIR Tools®	FLIR Responder App
Wi-Fi	—	—	IEEE 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz)
Bluetooth	—	—	Bluetooth v. 5.0 EDR + BLE

Data & connectivity: FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N

Specification

FLIR K2

FLIR K33

FLIR K85-N

Storage & video

Image storage

None

No JPEG storage

Internal flash memory, Standard JPEG

Image storage capacity

—

200 files in total; the total number of files varies dependent on the number of saved video clips

Non-radiometric IR video recording

—

MPEG4 to internal flash memory

Non-radiometric IR video streaming

—

Uncompressed colorized video using USB

Uncompressed colorized video using USB and MPEG-4 Stream over Wi-Fi to FLIR Responder App

Interfaces

USB

USB micro-B

USB mini-B

USB-C

Updates & data transfer

Update from PC devices

Update from PC devices, data transfer to and from PC

Update via OTA (Wi-Fi using the FLIR Responder App)
Legacy support for updates from PC and data transfer to and from PC

Software / app

Works with FLIR Tools software

Compatible with FLIR software: FLIR Tools®

FLIR Responder App

Wi-Fi

—

IEEE 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz)

Bluetooth

—

Bluetooth v. 5.0 EDR + BLE

Power: FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N
Specification	FLIR K2	FLIR K33	FLIR K85-N
Battery
Battery type	Li-ion, 3.6 V rechargeable	Li-ion, 3.6 V rechargeable	Li-Ion, 3.6 V
Battery capacity	2.6 Ah at 20–25°C (68–77°F)	6.2 Ah, at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)	6.2 Ah, at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)
Battery operating time	Approximately 4 hours at 77°F (25°C) and with typical use	>5 hours at 25°C (77°F) ambient temperature and typical use	Approx. 4 hours @ 25°C (77°F) ambient temperature and typical use
Charging
Charging time	2.5 h to 90% capacity	2 h to 85% capacity	<3 h to capacity enough for 3 h operation
Charging system	Battery is charged inside the camera or in a dedicated charger	Battery is charged inside the camera 2-bay charger Optional in-truck charger	Desktop 2-bay charger Optional in-truck charger
Charging temperature	—	—	0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
Power management	Automatic shutdown and sleep mode	Automatic shutdown and sleep mode	Automatic shutdown and sleep mode
Power supply safety	CE/EN/UL/CSA/PSE 60950-1	CE/EN/UL/CSA/PSE 60950-1	CE/EN/UL/CSA/PSE 60950-1 IEC 62368

Power: FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N

Specification

FLIR K2

FLIR K33

FLIR K85-N

Battery

Battery type

Li-ion, 3.6 V rechargeable

Li-Ion, 3.6 V

Battery capacity

2.6 Ah at 20–25°C (68–77°F)

6.2 Ah, at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)

Battery operating time

Approximately 4 hours at 77°F (25°C) and with typical use

>5 hours at 25°C (77°F) ambient temperature and typical use

Approx. 4 hours @ 25°C (77°F) ambient temperature and typical use

Charging

Charging time

2.5 h to 90% capacity

2 h to 85% capacity

<3 h to capacity enough for 3 h operation

Charging system

Battery is charged inside the camera or in a dedicated charger

Battery is charged inside the camera
2-bay charger
Optional in-truck charger

Desktop 2-bay charger
Optional in-truck charger

Charging temperature

—

0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)

Power management

Automatic shutdown and sleep mode

Power supply safety

CE/EN/UL/CSA/PSE 60950-1

CE/EN/UL/CSA/PSE 60950-1 IEC 62368

Environment & build: FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N
Specification	FLIR K2	FLIR K33	FLIR K85-N
Environment
Storage temperature range	-40°F to 158°F (-40°C to 70°C)	-40°F to 185°F (-40°C to 85°C)	-40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F)
Shock	25 g (IEC 60068-2-27)	25 g (IEC 60068-2-27)	25 g (IEC 60068-2-27)
Vibration	2 g (IEC 60068-2-6)	2 g (IEC 60068-2-6)	2 g (IEC 60068-2-6)
Humidity	IEC 60068-2-30, 24 hours, 95% relative humidity, 25–40°C (77–104°F), 2 cycles	IEC 60068-2-30/24 h 95% relative humidity +25°C to +40°C (+77°F to +104°F) / 2 cycles	95% relative humidity 25°C to 40°C (77°F to 104°F) non-condensing
Salt spray	ASTM B117, salt spray, 5% saline solution in 48 hours and 35°C	—	—
Magnetic fields	EN 61 000-4-8, test level 5	EN 61 000-4-8, Test level 5	EN 61 000-4-8, Test level 5 for continuous field (severe industrial environment)
Hazardous locations	—	—	Class I, Division 2, Groups C & D, Class II, Division 2, Groups F and G, Class III, Division 1 and 2, Temperature code T4; T ambient range -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
Physical
Size (L × W × H)	9.8 × 4.1 × 3.5 in (250 × 105 × 90 mm)	4.7 × 4.9 × 11 in (120 × 125 × 280 mm)	—
Tripod mount	UNC 1/4"-20	UNC ¼"-20 (adapter needed)	—
Materials	PPSU Silicon rubber Aluminium, cast Flame-resistant magnesium alloy	PPSU Silicon rubber Aluminium, cast Flame-resistant magnesium alloy	—

Environment & build: FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N

Specification

FLIR K2

FLIR K33

FLIR K85-N

Environment

Storage temperature range

-40°F to 158°F (-40°C to 70°C)

-40°F to 185°F (-40°C to 85°C)

-40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F)

Shock

25 g (IEC 60068-2-27)

Vibration

2 g (IEC 60068-2-6)

Humidity

IEC 60068-2-30, 24 hours, 95% relative humidity, 25–40°C (77–104°F), 2 cycles

IEC 60068-2-30/24 h 95% relative humidity +25°C to +40°C (+77°F to +104°F) / 2 cycles

95% relative humidity 25°C to 40°C (77°F to 104°F) non-condensing

Salt spray

ASTM B117, salt spray, 5% saline solution in 48 hours and 35°C

—

Magnetic fields

EN 61 000-4-8, test level 5

EN 61 000-4-8, Test level 5

EN 61 000-4-8, Test level 5 for continuous field (severe industrial environment)

Hazardous locations

—

Class I, Division 2, Groups C & D, Class II, Division 2, Groups F and G, Class III, Division 1 and 2, Temperature code T4; T ambient range -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)

Physical

Size (L × W × H)

9.8 × 4.1 × 3.5 in (250 × 105 × 90 mm)

4.7 × 4.9 × 11 in (120 × 125 × 280 mm)

—

Tripod mount

UNC 1/4"-20

UNC ¼"-20 (adapter needed)

—

Materials

PPSU
Silicon rubber
Aluminium, cast
Flame-resistant magnesium alloy

PPSU
Silicon rubber
Aluminium, cast
Flame-resistant magnesium alloy

—

In the box: FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N
Specification	FLIR K2	FLIR K33	FLIR K85-N
Package contents
Included	K2 camera 2 batteries Battery charger Lanyard strap Power supply Printed documentation USB cable	K33 TIC 2 batteries Battery charger Lanyard strap Neck strap Power supply Printed documentation Retractable lanyard USB cable	Infrared camera Battery (2 ea.) Battery charger Carabiner strap Torx screwdriver (T20) Power supply Printed documentation Retractable lanyard, 16 N (58 oz) USB cable
Ordering
FLIR part number	73701-0101	72203-0411	18703-0301

In the box: FLIR K2, K33 and K85-N

Specification

FLIR K2

FLIR K33

FLIR K85-N

Package contents

Included

K2 camera
2 batteries
Battery charger
Lanyard strap
Power supply
Printed documentation
USB cable

K33 TIC
2 batteries
Battery charger
Lanyard strap
Neck strap
Power supply
Printed documentation
Retractable lanyard
USB cable

Infrared camera
Battery (2 ea.)
Battery charger
Carabiner strap
Torx screwdriver (T20)
Power supply
Printed documentation
Retractable lanyard, 16 N (58 oz)
USB cable

Ordering

FLIR part number

73701-0101

72203-0411

18703-0301

FLIR K2 vs K33 vs K85-NThermal imaging cameras compared

Three cameras, one table

Who each camera is built for

FLIR K2

FLIR K33

FLIR K85-N

Pixels, range and heat

K2 in high heat

K33 in high heat

K85-N in high heat

K2 vs K33 vs K85-N, line by line

Datasheets & service

FLIR K-Series comparison

FLIR K2 datasheet

K33 / K53 datasheet

FLIR K85-N datasheet

FLIR 2-5-10 warranty

FarrWest Repair Depot

Comparing the K-Series

Not sure which one? Ask us.

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