GoPro Mission 1 Pro ILS: Compact Cinema Camera Contender Faces Manual Focus Hurdles

GoPro's new Mission 1 Pro ILS camera can deliver cinema-quality footage in a remarkably compact body, according to a Wired review. The reviewer tested the camera with a Laowa 7.5mm lens, noting that with HyperSmooth stabilization enabled, it behaves like a 23mm lens on a full-frame camera, while with HyperSmooth off it acts as a 20mm lens. This means anyone wanting a very wide field of view will need an especially wide lens, likely a fisheye.

Lens Compatibility Limitations

A significant drawback is the absence of electrical contacts on the lens mount, meaning lenses relying on electronic focus or aperture control generally won't work. The reviewer's favorite Panasonic 20mm pancake lens, for instance, is incompatible because it lacks a manual aperture ring. Users are limited to fully manual lenses with mechanical aperture rings — not a huge selection, but enough quality options to cover a useful range of focal lengths. The camera is sold body-only, and no lens bundles have appeared yet from GoPro or resellers.

Focusing Challenges

The reviewer found manual focusing on the camera's small screen difficult, particularly in bright daylight. While the camera offers focus peaking — using color banding to indicate sharp areas — it can be hard to read precisely. Another issue is that achieving good focus requires holding the camera at eye level, which restricts shooting flexibility. Using GoPro's smartphone app makes focusing easier, but then requires additional gear like a cage and handle, eroding much of the camera's size advantage.

Despite these challenges, the reviewer concluded that footage from the ILS is reminiscent of the quality produced by early Blackmagic Pocket Cinema cameras — a notable achievement for such a small device.