A low cost infrared camera (1) for night vision. The camera (1) is disposed within a housing (2) having an infrared transmissive window (6) disposed at an input aperture (5) thereof. A compact optical arrangement (10) is disposed within the housing (2) to focus energy from the window (5) onto a focal plane array (20). A chopper disk (19) is positioned between the reflective optical arrangement (10) and the focal plane array (20) to establish a reference level for the array (20) and to facilitate a sequential readout thereof. A signal processing circuit (100) is included for processing the output of the array (20) for display on a standard video screen. Thus, the problems with uncooled detectors are overcome by use of a fast optical system in combination with an uncooled detector. The fast optical system provides a high signal level to the uncooled detector, thereby compensating for losses in collection of thermal radiation. Reflective optical systems can be manufactured inexpensively from plastic or aluminum and reduce the need for expensive infrared materials commonly used in military systems. The combination of the fast optics and uncooled detector provides a truly low cost thermal camera for night vision.