GoPro’s Starman Merger: Should You Still Buy a GoPro in 2026?

What the proposed deal means for camera owners, prospective buyers, and the future of GoPro – and what still needs to be proven.

BestActionCamera.com | September 9, 2026

Buying an action camera should involve thinking about the footage you want to capture. Lately, anyone considering a GoPro has another question: what happens to the camera if the company behind it changes direction?

That is a fair concern. A camera purchase can include batteries, mounts, microphones, software, and a subscription. You want to know that the equipment will remain useful and that someone will answer when you need help.

Our recommendation: a GoPro can still be a sensible purchase in 2026 if the specific camera meets your needs at a competitive total price. Buy it for what it delivers today. Give little weight to promises about what a future company might eventually build.

If your current camera works well, there is no need to rush into an upgrade or a switch. If you need a camera for an upcoming project, compare the available options and make the decision around that project. The merger deserves attention, but it should not make the decision for you.

What happened to GoPro?

On September 1, GoPro announced a definitive agreement to merge with Starman Optical. The proposed transaction includes $285 million in aggregate cash payments to GoPro shareholders, subject to adjustment, and repayment of approximately $92 million in debt at closing. Existing shareholders would retain roughly 10% of the company, which would remain publicly listed. Completion is expected by year-end 2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and other conditions. This is an announced agreement, not a completed transaction. Source: GoPro merger announcement

For camera buyers, the useful distinction is between what has been agreed and what has actually happened. An expected closing date is not a guarantee. Articles describing the business as already transformed can get ahead of events.

There is also a difference between a transaction announcement and a product announcement. A change in corporate ownership does not tell you whether the next camera will have better stabilization, a simpler menu, or a price you can justify.

Who is Starman Optical, and why does this deal matter?

GoPro describes Starman Optical as a U.S. optical-photonics company focused on optical transceivers and related technology. The combined business intends to expand into areas including AI infrastructure, government, defense, and aerospace. GoPro says it will continue supporting existing consumer products, subscriptions, and its cloud platform. Source: GoPro merger announcement

Our interpretation is that this creates two possibilities worth watching. A broader business could provide resources for camera development. It could also create competing priorities for management attention and investment. Neither outcome can be judged from the announcement alone.

That is why we would measure success by the products and service customers actually receive. A stronger company should eventually make ownership easier, whether through dependable updates, available replacement parts, or equipment that solves a real shooting problem.

Why GoPro’s financial position belongs in the conversation

GoPro reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $105 million, down 31% from a year earlier, and a GAAP net loss of $51 million. However, subscription and service revenue increased 11% to $29 million. Those figures show a business under pressure, with an ongoing service relationship with customers. Source: GoPro’s second-quarter results

We see those results as a reason to examine the company’s plans carefully. They do not, by themselves, tell you how well a particular camera records a bike ride or whether it belongs in your travel bag.

Buyers need both kinds of information. Product performance determines whether a camera can do the job. Confidence in the manufacturer matters when you expect to keep that equipment and add accessories over several years. The weight you give each depends on how much you are investing and how difficult a switch would be.

Is GoPro going to stop making cameras?

GoPro’s stated intention is to keep developing cameras. In a September 3 letter, founder and CEO Nick Woodman reaffirmed that commitment and described plans for cameras, accessories, software, and services. He argued that a more diversified business could strengthen the company financially. These are management’s plans and expectations; the letter does not establish a guaranteed future release schedule. Source: Nick Woodman’s letter

For us, the next useful evidence will be delivery: products arriving as described, meaningful firmware improvements, and clear communication when something changes. Enthusiasm about the future is welcome. Customers still need concrete reasons to put a camera in their cart.

We would also resist reading every future product decision as proof that the brand has either been saved or abandoned. One release can serve a different audience from yours. What matters is whether GoPro continues offering a convincing choice for the work you do.

What should current GoPro owners do?

Start with the camera you already own. Is it producing footage you like? Can you record the length of clip you need? Do your batteries, mounts, and editing process make it easy to use?

If the answers are yes, keep enjoying it. Replacing a useful setup simply because the news feels unsettled can cost money without improving a single video.

We recommend keeping your purchase records and checking the terms that apply to any subscription or replacement benefit you use. A general corporate statement about support should not be read as a promise about every future price, eligibility rule, or service period. For an immediate problem, use the support process associated with your product and purchase.

It is also a good time to make sure your footage is organized. Our advice for every camera brand is to keep independent copies of irreplaceable recordings. A practical approach is a working copy on your computer and another on a separate drive or independent backup service. Test that a few files actually open before you erase the memory card.

That habit matters whether a manufacturer is announcing a merger or having its best year ever. Your family trip, first motorcycle tour, or finished client project deserves a backup routine you control.

Should you still buy a GoPro right now?

Here is how we would approach the decision. These are our buying recommendations, not predictions about the transaction.

Your situation	Our recommendation
Your current camera handles your needs	Keep using it; upgrade when you can identify a meaningful benefit.
You need a camera for a trip or project soon	Compare current products and test your choice before the departure or shoot.
You own accessories you want to reuse	Verify compatibility with the exact model and calculate the complete upgrade cost.
You are starting with no existing equipment	Give GoPro, DJI, and Insta360 an equal chance to meet your requirements.
Your purchase depends on an unannounced feature	Wait until the feature is available and its limitations are documented.

The question we would ask is simple: if this camera received no additional features, would you still be happy with the purchase?

You should expect reasonable product support, but an upgrade plan built around speculative capabilities is fragile. Choose a camera whose existing recording modes, handling, and workflow already make sense for you.

If you can, handle the camera before buying. Check the screen with your usual glasses, try operating the buttons, and see how it feels on the mount you intend to use. Those details are easy to overlook in a specifications comparison and hard to ignore once you start filming.

Look closely at the actual GoPro model

Treat each camera as a separate decision. The MISSION 1 PRO, for example, launched with a 50MP 1-inch sensor and recording options including 8K at 60 frames per second and 4K at 240 frames per second. GoPro’s May availability announcement listed a $699.99 U.S. MSRP. That is a launch reference, not a claim about today’s checkout price. Source: MISSION 1 availability announcement

Those capabilities deserve consideration if you have a use for them. They are less persuasive if you primarily want short, straightforward clips to share with friends.

For a demanding project, write down the resolution, frame rate, recording duration, and audio setup you need. Then check whether the camera supports that combination. A collection of impressive maximum specifications does not necessarily describe one recording mode you can use all at once.

For casual shooting, place more emphasis on ease of use. A camera that is comfortable to carry, quick to start, and easy to transfer footage from may bring you more enjoyment than an advanced mode you rarely select.

Where DJI and Insta360 fit into the decision

The alternatives deserve a fair comparison on their own merits. DJI’s official Osmo Action 6 specifications list a 1/1.1-inch sensor, an f/2.0–f/4.0 aperture range, and 50GB of usable internal storage. Those are concrete features you can weigh against your shooting needs. They do not establish that it will outperform every competitor in every scene. Source: DJI specifications

Insta360’s Ace Pro 2 offers a 2.5-inch flip touchscreen and 8K recording at up to 30 frames per second. For someone frequently filming themselves, our view is that the screen design deserves particular attention during a hands-on comparison. Source: Insta360 product information

Try to compare footage resembling what you actually shoot. A sunny mountain bike video may tell you little about an indoor workshop demonstration. A carefully lit promotional clip may not answer your questions about a walk at dusk.

We would look for samples that show movement, changing light, speech, and the kinds of camera placement you use. Compare the processing and colors as well as sharpness. Your preference matters: you will be the person looking at these files and deciding how much editing they need.

Our GoPro, DJI, and Insta360 comparison explores the camera choices in more detail. The buying question remains broader than the corporate news: which camera makes the most sense for your budget, your subjects, and your workflow?

Calculate the cost of the whole setup

A camera’s advertised price is only the beginning of a fair comparison. Make a small shopping list covering the body, required storage, spare batteries, charger, mounts, and any audio accessories you actually need. Add a subscription only if you intend to use its benefits.

For an existing GoPro owner, compatible equipment can make staying with the brand more economical. Check each item rather than assuming that a familiar logo guarantees compatibility. Batteries, housings, and specialized accessories should be matched to the specific model.

For a new buyer, we recommend starting small. Get enough equipment to film your first few outings, then let experience identify what is missing. An unused collection of mounts does not make the camera a better value.

Also consider your time. Learning a new app or editing process is manageable, but it has a cost. If you already have a reliable workflow, a new camera should bring a benefit that justifies the change. If the old workflow frustrates you, switching could be worthwhile even when the image-quality difference is modest.

What we want GoPro to improve

Our wish list starts with the ordinary experience of using the product. These are the standards we would apply to any action camera company.

First, prioritize dependable recording. Buyers need useful information about operating conditions, recording limits, and recommended settings. That helps people choose equipment for the job and avoid surprises when a moment cannot be repeated.

Second, make the route from camera to finished video straightforward. Pairing, file transfer, editing, and export all affect whether someone keeps using the product. We would welcome improvements that reduce the time between capturing a clip and sharing it.

Third, explain the lineup clearly. A shopper should be able to understand which camera fits casual travel, demanding action, or a more involved production without studying a maze of similarly named bundles.

Finally, make ongoing ownership feel worthwhile. Clear compatibility information, accessible support, and useful updates give customers reasons to return. We would consider progress on those basics stronger evidence of a successful new chapter than a more ambitious marketing slogan.

Questions buyers are asking

Has the GoPro–Starman deal closed?

As of this article’s September 7 publication date, the official announcement describes a proposed transaction expected to close by year-end, subject to conditions. Source: GoPro merger announcement

Should I sell my existing GoPro?

We would make that decision around the camera’s usefulness. If it performs well for you, a headline alone is a weak reason to absorb the cost of replacing your setup.

Should I wait for a better deal?

Waiting is reasonable if your current camera is adequate and you are comfortable postponing the purchase. We would not assume the merger will produce a particular discount or price increase. Set a budget and compare actual offers when you are ready.

Is buying a DJI or Insta360 automatically the safer choice?

We would avoid that blanket conclusion. Compare the exact products, service terms, local availability, and accessory costs. A competing brand still needs to meet your requirements; it does not earn the sale simply because GoPro is in the news.

Our recommendation for BestActionCamera.com readers

GoPro should have to earn your purchase in the same way as any other camera maker: by offering equipment that does the job well at a price that makes sense.

If a current GoPro meets your requirements, fits your existing equipment, and offers the best complete package, it belongs on your shortlist. If a DJI or Insta360 better suits your shooting style, choose it. If you already own a camera that serves you well, spend some time making videos before deciding you need another one.

The future of the company will become clearer through its actions. Your next purchase can be grounded in something more immediate: the footage you want to make, the equipment available today, and the experience you want to have using it.

Buy the camera for the footage it can deliver today.

Let the company earn your confidence in tomorrow.