GoPro’s MISSION 1 PRO ILS just earned a spot on TIME’s 2026 Best Inventions list—a nod to its claim as the world’s smallest, most rugged compact cinema camera. On paper, it sounds impressive: built for extreme conditions, packed into a tiny frame, aimed at pros who need durability without bulk. As someone who’s spent years chasing action shots in harsh environments, I should be excited. But I’m not. Because I’ve been burned—literally and figuratively—by GoPro before.

I’ve lost entire days of footage due to sudden shutdowns from overheating. Not once, but multiple times across different models. The camera would heat up mid-shoot, throttle performance, then die—no warning, no recovery. And when it comes back? Often corrupted files or gaps in the timeline. These aren’t lab anomalies; they’re well-documented pain points in creator forums, Reddit threads, and professional workflows. GoPro knows this issue exists. They’ve patched firmware, tweaked designs—but the core problem persists under real-world stress: continuous 4K recording in heat, direct sun, or enclosed mounts.

That’s why I’ve made a hard rule: I won’t touch new GoPro hardware unless they give it to me for free. And even then? I won’t risk it on a paying gig, a once-in-a-lifetime trip, or any shot I can’t afford to lose. Trust isn’t rebuilt with awards or press releases—it’s earned in the field, over time, when the gear doesn’t quit when you need it most. Right now, I don’t believe GoPro has cleared that bar.

Instead, I’ve moved my loyalty elsewhere. DJI’s Action series and Insta360’s lineup consistently deliver better thermal management, more reliable encoding, and smoother post-production workflows. For creators who demand consistency over hype, those brands have proven themselves where GoPro still falls short. Recognition like TIME’s is nice—but it doesn’t recover lost footage. And until GoPro proves it can keep rolling when the heat is on, I’ll keep my money—and my faith—elsewhere.