GoPro Mission 1 Pro ILS Brings Interchangeable Lenses to Action Cameras

GoPro has finally released the Mission 1 Pro ILS, the last of the professional Mission 1 series action cameras. The Mission 1 Pro ILS stands out from other action cameras with one feature that has never been seen before in the category: an interchangeable lens mount.

Micro Four Thirds Mount

The Mission 1 Pro ILS features a Micro Four Thirds mount, giving users the flexibility to attach different lenses depending on what they want to shoot. However, there is one major caveat: the mount does not feature electronic contacts.

This means lenses that rely on electronic communication and focus-by-wire aren’t supported. Modern Micro Four Thirds lenses from OM System and Panasonic therefore won’t work properly with the action camera.

Users will need manual-focus and manual-aperture lenses to get the most out of the Mission 1 Pro ILS. Fortunately, there are plenty of manual-focus lenses available for Micro Four Thirds. Older vintage lenses from almost any mount can also be adapted with the appropriate adapter.

There is a significant crop factor to consider when using MFT lenses. The Mission 1 Pro ILS has a 2.7x crop factor with image stabilization turned off. When HyperSmooth stabilization is enabled, the crop increases to between 3x and 3.3x.

This means users will need extremely short focal lengths, around 6mm to 8mm, to achieve a genuinely wide-angle field of view.

8K Video and a 1-Inch Sensor

The Mission 1 Pro ILS features the same 50-megapixel 1-inch CMOS sensor found in the first two cameras in the Mission 1 series, paired with the new GP3 image processor.

The action camera can record 8K30p and 4K120p in Open Gate mode, allowing it to utilize the entire width of the sensor. It can also record up to 8K60p and 4K240p.

Most of the feature set is shared with the other Mission 1 cameras. However, GoPro has added several tools specifically suited to the interchangeable-lens design.

These include focus peaking, focus assist, zebra pattern exposure warnings, real-time LUT preview for GP-Log2 footage, customizable shot overlays, and remote start/stop controls.

Mission Monitor Turns an iPhone Into a Monitor

GoPro has also revealed details about the Mission Monitor, a new free iOS and iPadOS app that turns an iPhone or iPad into an external monitor for Mission 1 series cameras.

This could be particularly useful with the Mission 1 Pro ILS. Shooting with a manual-focus lens on the camera’s relatively small display could be challenging, and having a larger external screen should make it easier to check focus and composition.

A New Approach to Action Cameras

The Mission 1 Pro ILS is an interesting departure from the traditional action camera formula.

Instead of locking users into a fixed ultra-wide lens, GoPro is essentially giving photographers and videographers access to an interchangeable-lens system in an action-camera-sized package.

The lack of electronic contacts does limit the selection of lenses, but it also opens up the possibility of using a huge range of inexpensive manual lenses and vintage optics. This could make the Mission 1 Pro ILS particularly interesting for creators who want to experiment with different focal lengths and rendering characteristics.

Pricing and Availability

The GoPro Mission 1 Pro ILS is now available for pre-order for $699.99 from major retailers. The action camera is expected to begin shipping on September 2.

GoPro is also offering discounts on other Mission 1 series action cameras for a limited time.