GoPro Mission 1 vs GoPro Mission 1 Pro: Which action camera is the best buy?

Looking to buy a GoPro? Then you should probably be looking at the Mission series, announced this April and launched in May. It's the biggest shake-up to GoPro's lineup in years, moving away from the Hero name and placing a significantly larger 1-inch sensor into a rugged, waterproof body for the first time.

There isn't just one fixed-lens Mission action camera, though; there is a Mission 1 and a Mission 1 Pro, which appear from the outside to be really similar. (To confuse things further, there is also a third option – the newer GoPro Mission 1 Pro ILS – but this offers interchangeable lenses and is aimed more at cinematographers.)

So how do you choose between the seemingly identical GoPro Mission 1 vs GoPro Mission 1 Pro? Well, they are pretty similar. Both cameras share the same 1-inch quad Bayer sensor, the same GP3 processor, the same Enduro 2 battery and the same waterproof-down-to-66ft / 20m body.

They shoot the same 50MP stills, use the same fixed-focus ultra-wide lens and support the same accessories, from the Media Mod to the new Grip Edition that turns either model into something closer to a point-and-shoot camera.

The main difference, then, comes down mainly to top-end video specs: frame rates, resolutions and slow-motion modes that most people won't use day-to-day. Read on to learn the full details of what separates these two models.

GoPro isn't ditching the Hero series cameras, either – these are a new cinematography-friendly tier, which makes sense. The GoPro Hero 13 Black still has some advantages – and not just price; the optics with a smaller sensor provide for a smaller camera with a deeper depth of field (handy for POV shots).

GoPro Mission 1 vs GoPro Mission 1 Pro: Specifications

GoPro Mission 1 vs GoPro Mission 1 Pro: Video

Video is the main differentiator here, although it's still not a big one.

Both cameras use the same sensor, processor and color science, so footage shot in any shared mode looks identical: same detail, same dynamic range (GoPro claims up to 14 stops), same natural, relatively unprocessed look in low light.

Where they diverge is right at the top of the spec sheet. The Mission 1 Pro shoots 8K at 60fps and adds an 8K 30fps open gate 4:3 mode for creators who want maximum cropping flexibility across aspect ratios. The standard Mission 1 tops out at 8K 30fps in 16:9 and doesn't offer open gate at that top resolution at all, though it does keep open gate for 4K modes (including 120fps slow-mo).

Slow-motion is the other gap. The Pro pushes to 4K 240fps and FullHD 480fps, with a 460fps (16x) mode and a 960fps burst option for extreme slow-mo. The standard Mission 1 caps out at 4K 120fps and FullHD 240fps, which is still a serious toolkit but noticeably short of the Pro's ceiling.

As for resolutions and frame rates, there's no difference whatsoever. Both support 10-bit color, the same Rec.709 and Rec.2020 HDR profiles, and the flat GP-Log2 look for grading. Both also manage around 2 hours of continuous 4K 60fps recording without overheating.

🏆: GoPro Mission 1 Pro

GoPro Mission 1 vs GoPro Mission 1 Pro: Photo

Photographers get an identical experience with both the Mission 1 and the Mission 1 Pro.

Both cameras use the full sensor for 50MP wide stills or drop to a combined 12MP mode for better low-light performance, and both lack any kind of zoom or variable aperture. Both use a fixed 15mm equivalent ultra-wide lens with fixed focus, so anything from about 60cm onwards is sharp.

Build quality, battery life and waterproofing are all identical. Both use the same Enduro 2 battery (and both accept the older Enduro 1 if you're upgrading from a Hero13 Black). Both are rated to 66ft / 20m without a housing. And both support the full range of Mission accessories, including the new point-and-shoot grip, the Media Mod and GoPro's first wireless mic kit.

🏆: Draw

GoPro Mission 1 vs GoPro Mission 1 Pro: Price & availability

The Mission 1 Pro costs $699.99 – or $599.99 direct from GoPro if you already hold a GoPro Subscription past its first renewal. The standard Mission 1 is $100 cheaper across the board at $599.99, which puts it level with what most people will actually pay for the Pro once the subscriber discount is applied.

There's also a distribution difference worth knowing about. The Mission 1 Pro is sold widely through retail and photo stores, and comes in several bundles including a Grip Edition, a Creator Edition and a forthcoming Ultimate Creator Edition. The standard Mission 1 is only available directly from GoPro, with no bundle options.

🏆: GoPro Mission 1 is cheaper; Pro has better bundles and deals

GoPro Mission 1 vs GoPro Mission 1 Pro: How to choose

Given how much these two cameras share, the GoPro Mission 1 vs GoPro Mission 1 Pro decision really comes down to a single question: do you need 8K 60fps, 8K 30fps open gate or frame rates above 4K 120fps and FullHD 240fps?

If the answer is yes, because you're delivering multiple aspect ratios or you regularly need extreme slow-motion for sports or action work, the Mission 1 Pro's extra headroom is worth the $100.

If it's no, the standard Mission 1 gives you the same sensor, the same processor, the same battery life, the same durability and the same image quality in every mode it supports, for significantly less money.

For most buyers, that makes the GoPro Mission 1 the smarter pick. The Pro is there for the few who'll actually use its top-end modes.

That said, this whole line is aimed at top-end users – and the bundles with GoPro's accessories reflect that. Of the two of us, Adam would definitely choose the Mission 1 Pro (the model he reviewed) every time.