GoPro Unveils the 'MISSION 1' Series in Japan: Its Most Ambitious Compact Cinema Camera Featuring a 1-Inch Sensor

GoPro, Inc. (Headquarters: San Mateo, California, USA; Founder & CEO: Nick Woodman; Japanese subsidiary: GoPro GK) held a new product launch event for the media and influencers on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Kanda Myojin Hall (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) to mark the Japanese launch of its latest compact cinema camera series, the "GoPro MISSION 1".

On the day of the event, Rick Loughery, SVP of Global Marketing and Digital Commerce at GoPro, Justin Cove, Social Media + Advocacy Marketing Manager for Japan, and Arata Fukoue, a GoPro Certified Ambassador and Film Director, took the stage. Through product presentations, talk sessions, and a touch-and-try product exhibition area, the event provided a multifaceted introduction to the appeal of the MISSION 1.

Rick Loughery

Release of a Special Japan Launch Video | The Dynamism of Tokyo and Japanese Tradition Captured by MISSION 1

Unveiled at the opening of the presentation was an original Japanese opening movie shot with the MISSION 1. Directed and filmed by GoPro Certified Ambassador and Film Director Arata Fukoue, the video dynamically depicted traditional Japanese actions such as karate, Japanese drumming, and fire dancing, alongside the nighttime streets of Tokyo, utilizing the overwhelming low-light performance of the 1-inch sensor.

Karate demonstrations unleashed at overwhelming speed, sparks flying in the dark during a fire dance, the earth-shaking deep bass and movements of Japanese drums, and the Tokyo night with countless lights and people crossing paths—all of these elements bring a sense of realism and immersion that conventional compact cinema cameras could not capture, sublimated into a single video work by the MISSION 1's sensor and image processing performance. Furthermore, this video was a special presentation that event attendees witnessed ahead of the rest of the world, prior to GoPro's global launch video.

Performances featured Koji Ogata of the Japan Traditional Karate Association Kuyukai for karate, Raiko Enbu Kaguzuchi for the fire dance, and Wadaiko Group Sai for Japanese drumming. Filming took place in May 2026 at AQUASTUDIO in Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture, and Gallery-O14 DOJO in Toshima-ku, Tokyo.

From the opening movie shot with MISSION 1

GoPro's Rick Loughery Discusses the Development Background of the MISSION 1 Series

In the product presentation that followed, GoPro's Rick Loughery took the stage to announce the development background, concept, and main specifications of the MISSION 1 series.

Loughery emphasized that the MISSION 1 is a product that elevates GoPro's origin of "wanting to capture the moments when people around the world pursue their passions in the best possible way" to a new stage. He positioned it as the most ambitious series in GoPro's history, bringing together the learnings and passions gained from working alongside adventurers, athletes, and creators.

The Mission 1 series is equipped with a newly developed 50-megapixel 1-inch sensor and the GP3 processor. It achieves a maximum of 14 stops of dynamic range and excellent low-light performance.

For video, the MISSION 1 PRO supports 8K60fps and 4K240fps, while the entry-level MISSION 1 covers 8K30 and 4K120. Professional-grade features are also comprehensive, including a maximum of 240Mbps, 10-bit color, and GP-Log2 recording.

In terms of portability and durability, it is waterproof up to 20 meters without a housing and capable of continuous recording for over 3 hours at 4K30. Practicality in the field has also been significantly improved with a large 2.59-inch OLED display and 32-bit float audio recording.

Rick Loughery (SVP of Global Marketing and Digital Commerce, GoPro, Inc.)

The MISSION 1 is a product that delivers unprecedented professional cinema quality, empowering filmmakers, storytellers, and artists to expand the limits of their freedom of self-expression and creativity. It was made not only for professionals but for everyone who wants to give shape to their creative visions. What I am personally most excited about is the industry-leading 4K240fps, 8K60fps, and 1080p960fps burst 3