GoPro released a free update on Oct. 13 that gives all three MISSION 1 cameras zero-lag shutter response and continuous photo capture, GoPro says in its announcement. Support for anamorphic lenses arrives separately, as a beta for the MISSION 1 PRO ILS only.

What changes for owners

GoPro says the MISSION 1, MISSION 1 PRO and MISSION 1 PRO ILS all get the update, and that photos are now captured "the instant the shutter button is pressed."

It is available through the GoPro Quik app or on GoPro.com, GoPro says. GoPro's update page lists the PRO ILS release as v4.01, dated Oct. 13, with playback improvements in the media gallery and general bug fixes.

According to GoPro, holding the shutter button now captures continuous photos: more than 100 at 12MP or more than 20 RAW photos at 50MP. A new on-screen indicator warns when the camera nears its buffer limit.

GoPro's footnote says results vary with lighting, motion, settings and microSD card speed. It also says Rapid Photo and Continuous Shutter do not work in SuperPhoto, Interval Photo or Burst Photo modes.

MISSION Monitor and the anamorphic beta

GoPro says its MISSION Monitor live-preview app adds a histogram, waveform, RGB parade, false color and wireless connectivity. GoPro describes it as an iPhone and iPad app for iOS 18 or later. GoPro's MISSION Monitor page lists iOS only, with a download button for iOS.

For anamorphic lenses, GoPro says the latest GoPro Labs firmware, a public beta program, adds support to the PRO ILS. It lists squeeze ratios of 1.33x, 1.5x, 1.6x, 1.8x and 2.0x, and says the files carry metadata so Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve correct the image automatically.

GoPro's Labs notes say the initial anamorphic build, dated Sept. 24, is "not the final HS quality" and has "no desqueeze preview on camera yet." GoPro's announcement says that preview is "coming soon" and gives no date.

Why it matters

Our assessment: the photo update is the part to install today, because it costs nothing and applies to every Mission 1 owner. The anamorphic work is a beta for one model, with the on-camera preview still missing, so it is a reason to watch the PRO ILS rather than to buy it.

Prices as of Oct. 15, from GoPro's US store and Amazon:

  • MISSION 1 PRO ILS: $699.99 at GoPro's US store; $699.99 on Amazon, sold by Amazon.com.
  • MISSION 1 PRO: $699.99 at GoPro's US store.
  • MISSION 1: $599.99 at GoPro's US store.

Our assessment: because the two PRO models cost the same, the free update does not separate them. The MISSION 1 PRO ILS adds the interchangeable-lens and anamorphic path at no extra cost, so it is the better buy if you plan to use other lenses. If you do not, the PRO costs the same.

What is not confirmed

GoPro's announcement, checked Oct. 15, gives no release date for the on-camera de-squeeze preview. The announcement and GoPro's MISSION Monitor page, checked Oct. 15, list iOS only and do not mention Android. The capture figures and limits above are GoPro's own.