Abstract: This paper presents a fast and efficient sparse target detection and imaging methods. Column vector is obtained by adding each row of the an image, and row vector is obtained by adding each column of the an image, and row and column vectors is compressed and sampled. Row and column vectors were restored From the measured data, the measurement matrix, sparse group, sparse target location coordinates are determined in accordance with the center of gravity method. Then get the target image at the center of the target. The advantage is that the whole image is not required and target location can be get,so it takes less time.Experimental results show that the system can accurately detect the target and image. The imaging method can complete high-resolution infrared target imaging using infrared point source detecter, and obtain the information of infrared images they need.