A handheld thermal imager includes a housing defining a cavity. A lens barrel has a first end portion and a second end portion. The lens barrel is at least partially disposed within the cavity. A lens is coupled to the lens barrel first end portion. A resilient buffer member supports the lens barrel within the cavity. A thermal sensor is coupled to the lens barrel second end portion. A processing module receives signals from the thermal sensor. A display is coupled to the processing module for displaying a temperature characteristic of a scene.