From Digital Camera World · · 2m
GoPro joins Micro Four Thirds club
The action camera maker is now an official member of the camera standards group, but its new mirrorless camera breaks the mold.
In brief
The action camera maker is now an official member of the camera standards group, but its new mirrorless camera breaks the mold. GoPro's Mission 1 Pro ILS uses a Micro Four Thirds mount but a one-inch sensor and manual-focus-only design, making it an unusual addition to the standards group. Originally reported by…
Quick answers
- Will there be more GoPro MFT cameras?
- GoPro's membership raises questions about future Micro Four Thirds launches and whether the company will develop native lenses. Other members like Tamron and Sigma have limited their MFT commitments.
- What is the key takeaway from GoPro joins Micro Four Thirds club?
- GoPro's Mission 1 Pro ILS uses a Micro Four Thirds mount but a one-inch sensor and manual-focus-only design, making it an unusual addition to the standards group.
GoPro joins the standards club
GoPro is now an official member of the Micro Four Thirds standards group, announced by OM System on September 17. The action camera giant joins founding members like OM System and Panasonic.
“GoPro is now an official member of the group, thanks to the Mission 1 Pro ILS.”
One-inch sensor, MFT mount
The Mission 1 Pro ILS is unusual because it only shares the Micro Four Thirds mount with the standard. Its sensor is a one-inch design built for shooting up to 8K video, not the typical MFT sensor.
“The only thing Micro Four Thirds on GoPro's first mirrorless camera is the mount.”
No electronic contacts means manual focus only
The camera body has no electronics in the mount, so it cannot use autofocus lenses that need to communicate with the body. This limits compatibility with most OM System and Panasonic lenses.
“The camera body doesn't have any electronics in the mount.”
A cinema camera, not an action camera
GoPro calls the Mission 1 Pro ILS a compact cinema camera, not an action camera. The fixed-lens versions shipped earlier in the year, with the interchangeable lens model arriving in September.
“the company calls the Mission 1 Pro ILS not an action camera but a compact cinema camera.”
Will there be more GoPro MFT cameras?
GoPro's membership raises questions about future Micro Four Thirds launches and whether the company will develop native lenses. Other members like Tamron and Sigma have limited their MFT commitments.
OM System sees video potential
OM System says GoPro's entry will expand Micro Four Thirds use in amateur filmmaking, professional video, and cinema. The diverse membership aims to create new possibilities for visual expression.
“GoPro's participation is expected to further expand the use of the Micro Four Thirds System in amateur filmmaking, professional video production, and at the highest levels of cinema.”
Lens compatibility has fine print
GoPro has specific requirements for which lenses work with the Mission 1 Pro ILS. Not all Micro Four Thirds lenses are compatible due to the manual focus requirement and lack of electronic contacts.
What matters most
GoPro's Mission 1 Pro ILS uses a Micro Four Thirds mount but a one-inch sensor and manual-focus-only design, making it an unusual addition to the standards group.
