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MISSION 1 PRO

GoPro

MISSION 1 PRO

Flagship compact cinema camera with 50MP 1-inch sensor, GP3 processor, 8K60 / 4K240 video, 8K30 Open Gate 4:3, GP-Log2 10-bit, and 20m waterproof rugged body.

$700

Launch price

Released May 2026

vs

JVC

GY-HC500U

Connected Cam 1-inch camcorder with 20x zoom, 4K60p ProRes 422 10-bit, HLG/J-Log1, 3G-SDI, weather sealing, and SRT streaming.

$3,395

Launch price

Released Sep 2019

MISSION 1 PRO is 6.8 years newer.

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Wins

9categories

MISSION 1 PRO

Sports & ActionWildlife

Wins

4categories

GY-HC500U

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

MISSION 1 PRO wins 3 categories·GY-HC500U wins 2 categories
  • BGY-HC500U has lower AF low-light limit (-3 EV vs 0 EV)
  • AMISSION 1 PRO has higher Resolution (50 MP vs 9.35 MP)
  • AMISSION 1 PRO has lower ISO min (native) (25 vs 100)
  • BGY-HC500U has higher ISO max (native) (25,600 vs 6,400)
  • AMISSION 1 PRO has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)

Key specs at a glance

MISSION 1 PROGY-HC500U
Resolution50 MP9.35 MP
Sensor1"MFT
ISO max6,40025,600
Burst30 fps20 fps
4K120 fps60 fps
IBIS8-stop7-stop
Weight207 g580 g
Battery520 shots640 shots

Size and weight, to scale

MISSION 1 PRO front view

MISSION 1 PRO

78 × 50 × 28 mm

207 g (0.46 lb / 7.30 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

GY-HC500U

134 × 91 × 72 mm

580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)

MISSION 1 PRO is 56mm narrower, 41mm shorter, and 44mm thinner than GY-HC500U.

MISSION 1 PRO is 373 g lighter than GY-HC500U.

Depth (front-to-back): 28mm MISSION 1 PRO · 72mm GY-HC500U

Sensor size, to scale

GY-HC500U

17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds

225 mm² area

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseMISSION 1 PROGY-HC500U
Portrait
6.0Good✓ wins
4.0Fair
Sports & Action
10.0Excellent✓ wins
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
6.5Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Landscape
7.0Good✓ wins
3.5Limited
Travel
7.5Good
7.5Good
Wildlife
9.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Vlogging
7.5Good✓ wins
7.0Good

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

MISSION 1 PRO

  • Codecs

    Adds MP4

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 78, 50, 27.8

  • Card types

    Adds microSDXC

  • Resolution

    50 MP vs 9.35 MP — higher is better

  • ISO min (native)

    25 vs 100 — lower is better

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps — higher is better

  • Weight

    207 g vs 580 g — lower is better

  • 4K max frame rate

    120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better

Reasons to choose

GY-HC500U

  • AF low-light limit

    -3 EV vs 0 EV — lower is better

  • Codecs

    Adds H.265, H.264, ProRes

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 134, 91, 72

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-II

  • ISO max (native)

    25,600 vs 6,400 — higher is better

  • Card slots

    2 vs 1 — higher is better

  • Battery life (CIPA)

    640 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • Pre-Capture / Pre-ReleaseBoth support pre-capture / pre-release
  • Internal RAW videoBoth support internal raw video
  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

MISSION 1 PRO

Pros

  • 8K60 + 4K240 + 1080p960 burst slo-mo
  • 50MP 1-inch sensor, up to 14 stops DR
  • 8K30 / 4K120 Open Gate 4:3 reframing
  • GP-Log2 10-bit + 32-bit float audio
  • 20m waterproof without housing

Cons

  • Premium pricing vs HERO13 Black
  • Fixed lens (ILS variant Q3 2026)
  • New platform — limited third-party support
  • Subscriber discount required for best price

GY-HC500U

Pros

  • 1-inch sensor + 20x f/2.8–4.5 zoom
  • 4K60p Apple ProRes 422 internal
  • HLG / J-Log1 HDR
  • 3G-SDI + weather-resistant body
  • SRT / RTMP streaming

Cons

  • Heavy at 3.6 kg configured
  • SSD ProRes needs optional adapter
  • Premium over GY-HM250
  • 9.35MP effective sensor

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the MISSION 1 PRO and GY-HC500U at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

MISSION 1 PRO
GY-HC500U
Resolution
50 MP5.3× more
9.35 MP
Sensor type
CMOS
Four Thirds Live MOS
Sensor size
1"
17.3 × 13.0 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
MISSION 1 PRO
GY-HC500U
Aperture
2.8
Focal length (35mm equiv.)
15-27
Field of view
159 °
MISSION 1 PRO
GY-HC500U
Processor
GP3
Image processor
MISSION 1 PRO
GY-HC500U
ISO min (native)
25−75 less
100
ISO max (native)
6,400
25,600+2 stops
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
MISSION 1 PRO
GY-HC500U
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/32000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for sports, MISSION 1 PRO or GY-HC500U?

MISSION 1 PRO scores 10.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for GY-HC500U — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.

What's the resolution difference between the MISSION 1 PRO and GY-HC500U?

MISSION 1 PRO is 50 MP and GY-HC500U is 9.35 MP, so the MISSION 1 PRO captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the MISSION 1 PRO and GY-HC500U have in-body image stabilization?

MISSION 1 PRO has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while GY-HC500U has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the MISSION 1 PRO or the GY-HC500U?

MISSION 1 PRO reaches 30 fps electronic. GY-HC500U reaches 20 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the MISSION 1 PRO and GY-HC500U?

MISSION 1 PRO weighs 207 g and GY-HC500U weighs 580 g, so the MISSION 1 PRO is 373 g lighter.

Do the MISSION 1 PRO and GY-HC500U record 4K video?

MISSION 1 PRO: 4K up to 120p. GY-HC500U: 4K up to 60p.

Are the MISSION 1 PRO and GY-HC500U weather sealed?

MISSION 1 PRO: Yes. GY-HC500U: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the MISSION 1 PRO and 640 shots for the GY-HC500U, giving the GY-HC500U the edge.

How much does each cost?

MISSION 1 PRO launched at $700 and GY-HC500U at $3,395. The MISSION 1 PRO is $2,695 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way MISSION 1 PRO vs GY-HC500U vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.

Product images courtesy of GoPro and JVC press materials.