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GoPro

MISSION 1

Compact cinema camera with the same 50MP 1-inch sensor and GP3 processor as MISSION 1 PRO, capped at 8K30 / 4K120 with Open Gate 4:3 and GP-Log2 10-bit.

$600

Launch price

Released May 2026

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Full specs →
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

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MISSION 1 is 6.8 years newer.

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.

Wins

1categories

MISSION 1

★ Wildlife★ Video & Hybrid

Wins

1categories

GY-HC500U

★ Wildlife★ Video & Hybrid

13 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

MISSION 1 wins 1 categories·GY-HC500U wins 1 categories
  • BGY-HC500U has lower AF low-light limit (-3 EV vs 0 EV)
  • AMISSION 1 has higher Resolution (50 MP vs 9.35 MP)

Key specs at a glance

MISSION 1GY-HC500U
Resolution50 MP9.35 MP
SensorMFTMFT
ISO max25,60025,600
Burst20 fps20 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS7-stop7-stop
Weight580 g580 g
Battery640 shots640 shots

Size and weight, to scale

MISSION 1

134 × 91 × 72 mm

580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 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 and GY-HC500U share virtually identical body dimensions.

MISSION 1 and GY-HC500U weigh the same.

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

Sensor size, to scale

MISSION 1

17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds

225 mm² area

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

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

MISSION 1

  • Resolution

    50 MP vs 9.35 MP — higher is better

Reasons to choose

GY-HC500U

  • AF low-light limit

    -3 EV vs 0 EV — lower is better

Both cameras share

  • ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
  • ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
  • ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
  • ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
  • ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
  • ✓Burst (mechanical) — Both 8 fps

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

MISSION 1

Pros

  • ✓Same 50MP 1-inch sensor as PRO
  • ✓8K30 + 4K120 + Open Gate 4:3
  • ✓GP-Log2 10-bit + rugged 20m waterproof
  • ✓Ultra-compact cinema form factor
  • ✓Full GoPro mount ecosystem

Cons

  • –No 8K60 or 4K240 high frame rates
  • –No 1080p960 burst slo-mo
  • –Fixed lens only
  • –Still premium vs traditional action cams

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 and GY-HC500U at major authorized retailers.

GoPro MISSION 1

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JVC GY-HC500U

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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
GY-HC500U
Resolution
50 MP✓5.3× more
9.35 MP
Sensor type
Four Thirds Live MOS
Four Thirds Live MOS
Sensor size
17.3 × 13.0 mm
17.3 × 13.0 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
MISSION 1
GY-HC500U
Processor
GP3
Image processor
MISSION 1
GY-HC500U
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
MISSION 1
GY-HC500U
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

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

MISSION 1 scores 7.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for GY-HC500U — 50MP — massive detail for large prints.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Both bodies weigh roughly 580 g.

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

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

Are the MISSION 1 and GY-HC500U weather sealed?

MISSION 1: Yes. GY-HC500U: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

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

How much does each cost?

MISSION 1 launched at $600 and GY-HC500U at $3,395. The MISSION 1 is $2,795 less.

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

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

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