GoPro’s MISSION 1 PRO ILS ($699 on Amazon), a compact 8K cinema camera featuring interchangeable lenses and a $699.99 price tag, has been named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026. The recognition highlights GoPro’s expansion into professional filmmaking with a camera that combines high-resolution recording, an interchangeable lens system, and an exceptionally small form factor.

GoPro earns TIME recognition

Announcing the recognition on LinkedIn, GoPro stated:

We’re excited to share that MISSION 1 PRO ILS, the world’s smallest, most rugged compact cinema camera with interchangeable lenses, has been named to TIME’s list of the Best Inventions of 2026.

According to GoPro, the TIME recognition marks the MISSION 1 Series’ 14th major industry award from 12 publications since its launch earlier this year. The series has also received recognition from WIRED, TechRadar, SlashGear, Tom’s Guide, PCMag, Gizmodo, and Esquire, among others. TIME’s annual Best Inventions list recognizes 300 innovations across multiple industries, evaluating products based on originality, effectiveness, ambition, and impact.

An 8K cinema camera for $700

The MISSION 1 PRO ILS is built around a 50MP 1-inch sensor and GoPro’s GP3 processor. Despite weighing only 197 grams, the camera supports 8K recording at up to 60 fps, 4K at 240 fps, and 8K Open Gate recording at 30 fps. Unlike traditional GoPro cameras with fixed lenses, the MISSION 1 PRO ILS features an interchangeable lens mount compatible with selected Micro Four Thirds lenses. It also offers 10-bit GP-Log2 recording, HLG HDR, timecode synchronization, and HyperSmooth stabilization. The camera’s miniature dimensions make it particularly relevant for specialized cinematography, including vehicle interiors, confined spaces, action sequences, and camera placements where conventional cinema systems would be impractical. GoPro has also recently introduced anamorphic lens support, further expanding the camera’s creative applications.

A different approach to cinema cameras

While the MISSION 1 PRO ILS does not compete directly with larger professional cinema cameras in sensor size or production connectivity, its combination of 8K resolution, interchangeable optics, compact construction, and relatively low cost offers filmmakers a different set of possibilities. At $699.99, with lenses sold separately, it provides an accessible option for productions requiring small, lightweight cameras without sacrificing high-resolution capture. The TIME recognition reflects growing attention to compact, specialized filmmaking tools, particularly those capable of delivering professional recording features at consumer-level prices.

📦See the MISSION 1 PRO ILS on Amazon

What about the GoPro MISSION 1 PRO?

The MISSION 1 PRO is the fixed-lens counterpart to the MISSION 1 PRO ILS. Both cameras share the same 50MP 1-inch sensor and GP3 processor, offering 8K recording at up to 60 fps, 4K at 240 fps, and 8K Open Gate capture at 30 fps. The key difference is the lens system: while the MISSION 1 PRO features a built-in wide-angle lens optimized for action and documentary shooting, the PRO ILS replaces it with a Micro Four Thirds mount for interchangeable optics. Both target filmmakers seeking high-resolution recording in an exceptionally compact form factor. Read out review here. 

Final thoughts

GoPro’s recognition by TIME highlights an interesting direction in camera development: professional filmmaking capabilities are increasingly available in smaller, lighter, and more affordable systems. The MISSION 1 PRO ILS is not intended to replace traditional cinema cameras, but its combination of 8K recording, interchangeable lenses, and a $700 price tag makes it a compelling option for specialized filmmaking applications. For GoPro, the TIME recognition reinforces its ambitions beyond the traditional action camera market.