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 priceReleased May 2026
Nikon
D500
APS-C sports DSLR flagship with 10fps, 153-point AF, and pro build.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2016
MISSION 1 PRO is 10.4 years newer.
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Wins
MISSION 1 PRO
Wins
D500
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BD500 has lower AF low-light limit (-4 EV vs 0 EV)
- BD500 has higher AF points / zones (153 vs 0)
- AMISSION 1 PRO has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- BD500 has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 6,400)
- AMISSION 1 PRO has lower Weight (207 g vs 860 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
MISSION 1 PRO
78 × 50 × 28 mm
207 g (0.46 lb / 7.30 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
D500
147 × 115 × 81 mm
860 g (1.90 lb / 30.34 oz)
MISSION 1 PRO is 69mm narrower, 65mm shorter, and 53mm thinner than D500.
MISSION 1 PRO is 653 g lighter than D500.
Depth (front-to-back): 28mm MISSION 1 PRO · 81mm D500
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
MISSION 1 PRO
78 × 50 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
D500
147 × 115 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
MISSION 1 PRO
78 × 28 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
D500
147 × 81 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D500
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
MISSION 1 PRO: mount data unavailable
D500
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
MISSION 1 PRO
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds MP4
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 78, 50, 27.8
Card types
Adds microSDXC
Weight
207 g vs 860 g — lower is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
1080p max frame rate
240 fps vs 59.94 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
D500
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs 0 EV — lower is better
AF points / zones
153 vs 0 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 147, 115, 81
Card types
Adds SD, CFexpress Type B, XQD
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 6,400 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
1240 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 200 frames
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
- ✓Microphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support microphone jack (3.5mm)
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
D500
Pros
- ✓10fps APS-C
- ✓Pro sports AF
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓Great buffer
Cons
- –DSLR
- –APS-C
- –No IBIS
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the MISSION 1 PRO and D500 at major authorized retailers.
GoPro MISSION 1 PRO
Nikon D500
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, MISSION 1 PRO or D500?
MISSION 1 PRO scores 10.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for D500 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the MISSION 1 PRO and D500?
MISSION 1 PRO is 50 MP and D500 is 20.9 MP, so the MISSION 1 PRO captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the MISSION 1 PRO and D500 have in-body image stabilization?
MISSION 1 PRO has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while D500 does not have IBIS.
Which shoots faster bursts — the MISSION 1 PRO or the D500?
MISSION 1 PRO reaches 30 fps electronic. D500 reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the MISSION 1 PRO and D500?
MISSION 1 PRO weighs 207 g and D500 weighs 860 g, so the MISSION 1 PRO is 653 g lighter.
Do the MISSION 1 PRO and D500 record 4K video?
MISSION 1 PRO: 4K up to 120p. D500: 4K up to 29.97p.
Are the MISSION 1 PRO and D500 weather sealed?
MISSION 1 PRO: Yes. D500: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the MISSION 1 PRO and 1,240 shots for the D500, giving the D500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
MISSION 1 PRO launched at $700 and D500 at $1,999. The MISSION 1 PRO is $1,299 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way MISSION 1 PRO vs D500 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of GoPro and Nikon press materials.