GoPro’s future just took a dramatic turn as defense firms and imaging giants circle the company
Can GoPro be sold soon?
GoPro could be heading toward one of the biggest shake-ups in its history after the company confirmed it is exploring a potential sale or merger following growing interest in its defence and aerospace ambitions.
The action camera giant revealed during its Q1 2026 earnings call that it has formally launched a strategic review process following multiple inquiries related to its recent expansion beyond the traditional creator and consumer camera markets.
GoPro founder and CEO Nicholas Woodman said the company believes there is “unrealised value” in its technology, intellectual property and manufacturing capabilities, adding that the board is now evaluating “strategic alternatives” to maximise shareholder value.
Image shot with GoPro's new Mission 1 camera
The move follows GoPro’s April announcement that it was formally exploring opportunities in the defence and aerospace sectors with the help of consulting giant Oliver Wyman.
The company said its cameras are already used in “demanding defence, government, and aerospace applications” where durability, stabilisation and image quality are mission-critical.
From mountain bikes to space missions
GoPro’s growing aerospace ambitions already appear to be gaining traction.
During the call, Woodman revealed that modified GoPro cameras were recently used externally on NASA’s Artemis II Orion spacecraft, while off-the-shelf models were also deployed inside the spacecraft to capture footage for an upcoming National Geographic documentary.
An amazing pictures shot by the Artemis II crew using a GoPro
“Everyone at GoPro is deeply honoured that our cameras played even a small role in the historic Artemis II mission,” Woodman said. “It’s incredibly meaningful to all of us.”
A very different kind of GoPro camera
The strategic announcement also arrives just weeks after the launch of the new MISSION 1 Series, which arguably represents GoPro’s most ambitious hardware push in years.
The lineup includes the MISSION 1, MISSION 1 PRO and MISSION 1 PRO ILS, the latter featuring an interchangeable lens system compatible with Micro Four Thirds lenses.
Woodman described the cameras as “the world’s most compact cinema camera line” and said the new models are designed to appeal to professional filmmakers, television producers and high-end creators in addition to existing GoPro users.
The new cameras also introduce a 50MP 1-inch sensor and GoPro’s next-generation GP3 processor, with the company heavily emphasising professional-grade video performance, thermal efficiency and reliability.
It’s a notable shift for a company that has spent years competing largely in the action camera category against rivals such as DJI and Insta360.
The financial backdrop paints a tougher picture
The strategic pivot comes amid a difficult financial period for the company.
GoPro reported Q1 revenue of $99 million, down 26% year over year, while camera sell-through fell 29%. Subscription revenue remained flat at $27 million, while subscriber numbers declined 8% to 2.26 million.
The company’s gross margin also dropped sharply from 32.1% to 4.3%, partly due to component purchase commitments and slow-moving inventory charges.
Even so, GoPro appears keen to frame the current moment as the start of a broader transformation rather than a retreat.
“We’ve just entered a new era of professional performance capability with the launch of our new MISSION 1 series of cameras,” Woodman said. “We’re excited for the impact they can have on our business.”
[via GoPro Investor Relations]
