The invention discloses a large-scale particle image velocimeter based on a near-infrared smart camera, which belongs to the technical field of non-contact open channel current surveying. The instrument consists of a processor module, an image sensor module, an optical system, a network communication module and a power module, wherein the processor module takes a 32-bit fixed point DSP (digital signal processor) chip as a core to replace a PC (personal computer) to finish image collection and processing as well as data transmission; the image sensor module adopts a monochrome CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor of a digital interface; and the optical system consists of a double-filter switcher, an electric three-variable lens, an infrared LED fill light, a motor driving module and an illumination control module and is used for realizing the remote control of lower optical image under a near-infrared waveband or full-spectrum waveband. The instrument adopts an Ethernet transmission image, flow field data, a state information and control command conforming to an IEEE (institute of electrical and electronic engineers) 802.3 protocol, and the instrument and data transmission can share one cable by supplying power in a PoE mode. The large-scale particle image velocimeter has the characteristics of strong anti-jamming capability, high temporal-spatial resolution and flexible and efficient system.