This is a question that many action camera users now face. After all, we’ve seen the stunning footage that professional filmmakers are uploading to YouTube. We’ve even seen the short 60-second clips on Instagram that are just blowing us away with how good they look.
GoPro is pushing this as a true cinematic powerhouse of a camera that can fit in the palm of your hand.
So, will buying this camera make you a professional cinematic force to be reckoned with?
No.
And that’s the simple answer.
Let’s take a look at the more complex one.
I’m a GoPro Fan
There’s no denying it. I’ve used their hardware for quite some time — ever since my wife bought me my first GoPro HERO2, which I’m using as my official excuse for why I may have spent too much money on GoPro cameras.
It’s her fault.
However, I’m also truthful about the products they make: which ones I’m happiest with and which ones I’d avoid like the plague.
Which is where I have a problem recommending the ILS to just anyone.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great camera. It’s capable of shooting some stunning footage, (but only in the hands of a professional, in my opinion).
This Is Not a Review
I’m not “reviewing” the ILS.
By now, you should have already looked up the specs, watched other people reviewing the camera, and heard people bemoaning the lack of autofocus or questioning why the camera uses MFT lenses.
For the record, MFT helps make the camera more affordable while giving users access to a huge selection of lenses.
Nope, I’m not doing any of that here.
Instead, this is more of a warning piece. The kind where, if you complain about the footage you’re getting from the Mission 1 Pro ILS, I get to refer you back to this article and say:
“You were warned!”
What’s the Issue?
GoPro promised that the ILS would be a camera capable of delivering cinema-grade footage in an action camera body, and honestly, they delivered on that promise.
However, owning a cinema-grade camera doesn’t make the operator a cinematic professional any more than buying a wrench suddenly makes someone an expert plumber.
You still need experience, training, and, basically, to know what the hell you’re doing.
The Clues You’re Missing
That footage you’ve seen online from people shooting with their Mission 1 Pro ILS — the footage that blew you away, the footage that made you go “wow…” — and I certainly went “wow.”
Watch it again.
This time, pay attention.
See if you can find a clip that doesn’t have any cuts in it. A single shot that lasts more than one minute.
Heck, let’s narrow it down and make it 30 seconds.
I’ll wait here patiently while you do that.
Back so soon? Did you happen to notice the clip you watched was made up of a whole bunch of short clips? This is because once that camera starts moving, the operator has to start manually dialing in the focus settings, sometimes they nail it, sometimes they don’t. So that “stunning” footage was carefully curated from longer clips where most of the content, was simply out of focus.
Okay, now go look at GoPro’s own footage — the stunning clip with the Porsches.
Notice anything besides the fact that it looks great?
Notice the amount of extra equipment they had to strap to the camera: gimbal, external monitor, focusing system, extra lenses, boom arm, etc.
That’s the problem.
You have entire professional film crews using this camera — along with a lot of extra equipment — and producing stunning cinematic footage as a result.
They have years of experience and a hefty budget to match.
If you want the same results, you’re going to need both of those in your back pocket too.
Don’t Get Me Wrong
The Mission 1 Pro ILS is a fantastic camera.
It can produce fantastic-looking footage. However, it’s only going to be able to do that consistently in the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing.
If you’re expecting to just pick it up and make a masterpiece straight away, that lack of autofocus is going to kill you.
You’re going to end up with blurred, unusable footage — although probably less so if you’re mounting the camera on a tripod and not moving it around.
When it comes to filming professionally, you need to spend time setting up your shot. You need to measure the distance and dial in your focus.
Then you need to do a practice run to make sure everything looks good.
Then you’ll probably do the same thing again if you start adjusting settings, changing the lighting, etc.
Then you film.
And then you do a second take for safety.
Then maybe you’re unhappy with the DOF, so you change lenses… and repeat the whole process.
And if you’re wondering what DOF stands for, then this is further proof that this camera probably isn’t for you.
So I Shouldn’t Buy the ILS?
If you’re a professional videographer or photographer, then the ILS is absolutely a great tool to have in your kit.
You’ll be able to fit this action camera into places where your mirrorless camera simply won’t go.
It also weighs a heck of a lot less.
Or, if you’re an amateur who’s exploring how to get to the next level, the ILS may be a good choice because it’s going to force you to learn a lot of things — such as dialing in focus on the go, changing lenses, understanding depth of field, and planning your shots.
On the other hand, if you just want “cinematic footage” from an action camera without having to spend 30 minutes setting up a shot before you film, then the Mission 1 or Mission 1 Pro would probably be the better choice.
I’d go as far as to say that if you can’t get cinematic-looking footage from the Mission 1 or Mission 1 Pro, you’re probably not going to suddenly get cinematic-looking footage from the Mission 1 Pro ILS.
You simply don’t have the skill set yet.
And that isn’t meant as an insult. It’s just a statement of fact.
More importantly, I don’t want to see you upset or disappointed because your footage doesn’t look as good as you imagined it would.
Final Thoughts
The ILS is a great camera from GoPro.
It really is a pro-level production powerhouse of a camera that can fit in the palm of your hand.
Well… not so much once you start adding lenses, a field monitor, a focus-tracking system, lights, a gimbal, etc.
Unless you have really giant hands.
This is a camera that I think professionals and prosumers will get a lot of use out of.
However, for some people, it may simply not be the camera that’s most useful to them.
The lack of autofocus means shots need to be set up carefully beforehand. It’s not waterproof either, so you’re probably not going to want to use it in or around the water — or underwater, for that matter.
So, if you want an action camera or a vlogging camera, the ILS may not be the best choice for you.
If, on the other hand, you want to dip your feet into the actual professional side of video and photography, the ILS is probably one of the cheaper ways to do that without compromising heavily on quality.
It has a TON of features.
And that 960 FPS is just begging to be explored.
This is the main reason I purchased the Mission 1 Pro ILS myself.
But I also have a Mission 1 Pro…
…for all the situations where I won’t be able to use the ILS.
Disclaimer
This article is an opinion. More specifically, it’s my opinion, written by an opinionated person who occasionally has opinions about other people’s opinions. In my opinion.
Your experience may differ, and that’s perfectly fine. You’re allowed to disagree with me. You’d be wrong, obviously, but you’re allowed.
This article may also contain affiliate links. If you click one of those links and buy something, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. That helps support DemonView, keeps the website running, and possibly funds my completely reasonable and definitely-not-excessive collection of camera gear.
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