How GoPro's MISSION 1 Line Has Revitalized the Cinema Camera Market

Perhaps the most significant announcement in GoPro’s history, the MISSION 1 line, headlined by the MISSION 1 PRO, has been a revitalizing force not just for the company itself, but for the cinema camera market as a whole.

Released as the world’s smallest, lightest, and most rugged cinema camera ever seen, the GoPro MISSION 1 features a 50MP 1” sensor, incredible low-light performance, and the ability to capture video at up to 8K60 (as well as 4K240, and 1080p960 Ultra-High Frame Rates; 8K30 and 4K120 Open Gate).

Along with the flagship MISSION 1 PRO, the company has also released a new MISSION 1 PRO ILS, a new class of ultra-compact mirrorless cinema camera, and a MISSION 1 version. Here’s everything you need to know about this new move from GoPro and how it continues to be a force of revitalization in a market that's not stale, but always benefiting from growth.

GoPro Unveils MISSION Line

Teased over weeks and months leading up to its release, there was quite a bit of excitement when GoPro finally unveiled its new rugged cinema camera line. The flagship MISSION 1 PRO features a new 50MP 1” sensor and an ultra-efficient GP3 processor.

This new camera series has been able to deliver impressive resolutions, frame rates, runtimes, and thermal performance that could move the brand out of the niche adventure space and into the mainstream filmmaking market.

“The MISSION 1 Series is the pinnacle of performance for low-cost, compact cinema cameras. Our most demanding, pro-minded customers have asked us for years to make this very line of cameras, and we’ve finally delivered. The MISSION 1 Series is built to withstand the most extreme environments our customers push them into. The footage is going to look amazing.” - Nicholas Woodman, GoPro’s founder and CEO.

This series comprises three camera models—MISSION 1 PRO, MISSION 1, and MISSION 1 PRO ILS—which feature an interchangeable Micro Four Thirds lens system compatible with a broad array of lenses via adapters.

The Premium End of the Digital Imaging Market

“With the launch of the MISSION 1 Series, GoPro is entering the premium end of the digital imaging market in a significant way," says Pablo Lema, GoPro's Senior Vice President of Product, and it’s a statement pretty on the nose.

"The combination of our new 50 megapixel 1” sensor and ultra-efficient GP3 processor sets a new performance bar for compact cinema cameras, enabling resolutions, frame rates, low-light performance, runtimes and thermal capabilities never seen before in cameras this small. We expect the MISSION 1 Series to expand the creative potential of filmmakers and creators around the world, similar to the impact GoPro made when it pioneered the category for durable, ultra-capable compact cameras.” - Pablo Lema, GoPro's Senior Vice President of Product

Now that it's out in the world, it will continue to be interesting to see how filmmakers and video content professionals respond to these new cameras. The early performance tests will be one thing, but actually getting hands-on and a feel for whether these feel like higher-end cameras and not just elevated GoPros might be the real indicator of their upmarket sustainability.

Specs and Availability

If you're curious to find out more, here are the main specs, features, and info.

• MISSION 1 PRO: The flagship. Featuring a new, cutting-edge 50MP 1” sensor, incredible low-light performance, 8K60 / 4K240 / 1080p960 16:9 video capture, 8K30 and 4K120 Open Gate 4:3 video capture, 50MP RAW photo capture, all powered by a new, ultra-power-efficient GP3 processor that enables category-leading image quality, battery life, and thermal performance for mission-critical reliability in extreme use cases.
• MISSION 1 PRO Grip Edition : The flagship camera bundled with an innovative, versatile grip that transforms the camera into an even more rugged, ultra-capable feeling point-and-shoot camera designed for run-and-gun style capture. The grip functions as a 2-in-1 solution—as a lightweight, ergonomic grip for easy, one-handed on-the-move shots, or as a rugged, mountable metal cage for added protection with the option to mount vertically. Added features include cold shoe mounts, 1/4-20, magnetic latch mounting, and mounting fingers. Perfect for street photography, cinematography, travel, and everyday convenience.
• MISSION 1 PRO Creator Edition: The flagship camera bundled with the new MISSION 1 Series Media Mod for I/O port expansion and built-in microphone, the new Volta 2 Battery Grip for all-day power, and the new Wireless Mic Complete Kit for professional wireless audio. Perfect for vloggers and creators who want an ultra-capable and complete professional camera system that’s ready for any mission.
• MISSION 1 PRO Ultimate Creator Edition: For creators looking for the best of everything and maximum flexibility, this is the flagship camera bundled with GoPro’s Fluid Pro AI gimbal for advanced stabilization in even the lowest light conditions as well as AI-driven subject tracking, the new Wireless Mic Complete Kit for a comprehensive professional audio solution, Light Mod 2 for compact, ultra-portable lighting and the new MISSION 1 Series Media Mod for I/O port expansion, enabling the addition of displays, microphones, headphones, lighting, batteries, and more.
• MISSION 1 PRO ILS: The same 50MP 1” Sensor and GP3 processor as MISSION 1 PRO, but in a mirrorless form with an interchangeable lens mount that supports compatibility with the vast universe of Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lenses and adapters, which allows a virtually limitless range of lenses to be paired with the camera. MISSION 1 PRO ILS also supports in-camera HyperSmooth video stabilization with any rectilinear, prime focal length lens. This versatility, combined with its video stabilization, weatherproof design, and trademark GoPro durability, makes MISSION 1 PRO ILS the world’s smallest, most rugged, and versatile high-speed cinema camera at a fraction of the cost (and size) of comparable cameras. With more creative options than ever before—including telephoto, zoom, macro, and more—the possibilities are limitless, whatever your mission.
• MISSION 1: The same as the flagship in every way but limited to 4K120 Open Gate video capture and 8K30, 4K120, 1080p240 16:9 video capture. 50MP photo capture is the same as in the flagship model. MISSION 1 is perfect for the creator who doesn’t require the higher Open Gate resolutions and category-leading frame rates of the flagship model but still wants the outstanding low-light and image quality benefits of the new 50MP 1” sensor and ultra-power-efficient GP3 processor.

Overall, headlined by the MISSION 1 Pro, it's safe to say that the cinema camera market has indeed gotten a boost with another major player offering a new, affordable, and unique option in the space.

GoPro MISSION 1 PRO

And here are the specs and purchase options for the flagship GoPro MISSION 1 Pro.

• 50MP 1" Sensor & GP3 Processor
• Ultra-Wide 159° Fixed Lens
• 8K30 & 4K120 Open Gate (4:3) Capture
• 8K60, 4K240, & 1080p960 Video Recording
• HDR, 10-Bit, GP-Log2, & Timecode Sync
• Enhanced Low-Light & Dynamic Range
• 32-Bit Float Audio Recording
• Waterproof to 66'; Larger OLED Display
• Improved Runtimes & Thermal Performance
• Raw Image Capture & Bursts up to 60 fps

GoPro MISSION 1 PRO

Taking cine characteristics and squeezing them into an action camera form factor, the GoPro MISSION 1 PRO features a 50MP 1" image sensor and GP3 processor to easily capture up to 8K30 and 4K120 OpenGate video. Dedicated low-light capture and a wide 14-stop dynamic range make for efficient image capture in any environment.