bodyType

customContents

entityId

printArticlePageQuery

filter

article

body

urlAlias

articleSectionsContent

articleSeoArticle

articleSourceHeaderArticle

contentSchemaRenderContent

contentSubHeadlineContent

contentHeadlineContent

mainImagePrintArticleArticle

authorBlockPrintArticleArticle

contentSponsorTagContent

articlePianoPaywallContent

scmpYoutubeContent

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

query printArticlePageQuery(
  $entityId: String!
  $customContents: [CustomContentInput]
  $bodyType: BodyFormatTypeEnum
) {
  article(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
      json
    }
    urlAlias
    ...articleSectionsContent
    ...articleSeoArticle_3o8td4
    ...articleSourceHeaderArticle
    ...contentSchemaRenderContent
    ...contentSubHeadlineContent
    ...contentHeadlineContent
    ...mainImagePrintArticleArticle
    ...authorBlockPrintArticleArticle
    ...contentSponsorTagContent
    ...articlePianoPaywallContent
    ...scmpYoutubeContent
    ...hooksTrackPageViewArticle
    id
  }
}

fragment articlePianoPaywallContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksPaywallPromiseContent
}

fragment articleSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      name
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment articleSeoArticle_3o8td4 on Article {
  ...hooksArticleSeoArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersGetArticleTypeArticle
  entityId
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
  summary {
    text
  }
  subHeadline {
    text
  }
  body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
    text
  }
  keywords
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  topics {
    name
    entityId
    id
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  images {
    style(filter: {style: "768x768"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  readingTime
}

fragment articleSourceHeaderArticle on Article {
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
}

fragment authorBlockPrintArticleArticle on Article {
  ...defaultArticleDateContent
  ...authorNamesArticle
}

fragment authorNameAuthor on Author {
  ...entityLink
  name
  entityUuid
}

fragment authorNamesArticle on Article {
  authorLocations
  authors {
    entityId
    location
    ...authorNameAuthor
    id
  }
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sections {
    value {
      relatedNewsletters {
        ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
        id
      }
      id
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment defaultArticleDateContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksArticleDateUtilsContent
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on Section {
  name
}

fragment helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle on Article {
  entityId
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  disableOffPlatformContent
  sponsorType
  published
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    paywallTypes {
      entityUuid
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetArticleTypeArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        entityId
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment hooksArticleDateUtilsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  createdDate
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
}

fragment hooksArticleSeoArticle on Article {
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle
  entityId
  headline
  socialHeadline
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
  images {
    generic_og: style(filter: {style: "og_image_scmp_generic"}) {
      url
    }
    styles(filter: {styles: ["og_image_posties_article", "og_postmag", "og_image_style", "og_image_scmp_analysis", "og_image_scmp_explainer", "og_image_scmp_editorial", "og_image_scmp_fact_check", "og_image_scmp_debate", "og_image_scmp_live", "og_image_scmp_obituary", "og_image_scmp_opinion", "og_image_scmp_review", "og_image_scmp_series", "og_image_scmp_generic"]}) {
      url
      style
    }
    type
  }
  urlAlias
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksPaywallPromiseContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment hooksTrackPageViewArticle on Article {
  entityId
  publishedDate
  headline
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  entityUuid
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment mainImagePrintArticleArticle on Article {
  images {
    title
    url
    isSlideshow
    size_652x446: style(filter: {style: "652x446"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}


sections

types

disableOffPlatformContent

sponsorType

published

headline

socialHeadline

authors

images

publishedDate

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

keywords

topics

readingTime

authorLocations

entityUuid

Ben Sin

Shenzhen-based Insta360 has made a name for itself in recent years with its easy-to-use, highly portable 360 cameras– so much so that Apple stores around the world carry the company’s devices.
The Chinese firm is now venturing into action-camera territory with its latest product, an ultra-portable stabilised action cam that may just be the world’s smallest. Here’s how it shapes up.
Design and hardware
The Insta360 Go has all the hallmarks of an action cam. It is meant to be worn on body, with its fisheye-like camera capturing a wide field of vision. Footage is stabilised via EIS (electronic image stabilisation) thus appearing smoother than standard smartphone videos. But the big difference between the Go and a smartphone is that it is significantly smaller – in fact, it’s smaller than my thumb.


Other than the camera, which captures 1080p videos, the Go’s front side is mostly clean, with only a small microphone hole. Around the back is a single hardware button to activate shooting, and three small pogo pins that connect the Go to its included charging dock.
That dock is also small – about the size of a Tic Tac box – and provides an additional two-and-a-half charges for the Go. The dock is also necessary to connect the Go to an iPhone via the Lightning port. Connection is needed to move videos from the camera to the phone. Insta360 says an Android version of the same dock will come in a few months.

The idea with the Go is that it is less for shooting extreme action sports than for shooting everyday moments. Its small size, light weight – 18.3 grams (0.6 ounces) – and nondescript looks allow it to be worn on the body for longer periods of time, in ways that don’t attract much attention.
Action cameras by competitor GoPro may be great for skydiving or mountain biking videos, but carry one of those around a street market or inside a restaurant and expect to get curious glances from strangers.
It helps that Insta360 has thought of clever ways to wear the Go. Included with the packaging are various accessories that allow the Go to be clipped to T-shirts, placed on selfie sticks or even worn as a pendant around the neck.

Software and features
The key to a good digital camera is increasingly as much about software as it is hardware. Insta360 has a good track record of building intuitive apps for its cameras, and the same can be said for the Go.
The companion app (for iOS now; Android version coming later) allows users to do the obvious, such as play back captured footage, but it also has a whole suite of useful editing tools. I can change the aspect ratio of the video (landscape, portrait, square) in post-production, as well and apply filters or speed up or slow down footage.

Insta360 has also built an AI algorithm that can analyse footage captured and then splice together a themed “story”. For example, the algorithm can stitch together all food-related videos captured over the course of a week into a short clip with music and visual effects. This works fine, but I prefer to do my own editing.
Curiously, the Go can only shoot standard clips in 15-, 20-, or 30-second bursts. Motion lapse videos can go longer, but otherwise it is not possible to shoot, say, a minute of real-time footage. Insta360 reps say the time limit is because the camera is meant to capture slice-of-life moments throughout the day. While I agree with this concept, I do wonder if the time limit was due to technical limitations too.

Performance and battery life
Video footage captured by the Go is impressive for a device this small, but obviously pales in comparison to anything captured by a recently released smartphone or flagship action camera.
The electronic image stabilisation is excellent when shooting with good lighting; in poor lighting it falls apart. This is a problem that plagues even the best GoPros though, so it’s not really much of a knock.
The Go tends to struggle with dynamic range, as bright parts of the sky are usually blown out, while shaded areas appear a bit too dark. Insta360’s app can remedy some of these issues, however.
I’m nitpicking, of course. Ultimately there’s no other camera on the market this small that can capture better videos.

Because the Go only shoots videos in 15-30 second bursts, it’s hard to gauge battery life as it’s not continuously in use. I took it on a recent holiday in Thailand and found that a fully charged Go can almost certainly last an entire day of use, shooting dozens of clips.
The camera can also shoot motion lapse and slow-motion videos, which are respectively activated by a double- or triple-tap of the button.
Conclusion
The Insta360 Go has a clear appeal: its ultra portability makes it very easy to shoot videos throughout the day, capturing moments that may otherwise not be worth pulling out a camera for. For me, I’ve been using the camera to document the many street cats that live near my neighbourhood.
Its US$200 price tag can be considered good or bad value depending on your perspective. There will be some who scoff, pointing out that other action cameras that can shoot higher-resolution videos only cost slightly more. But the reality is there is nothing like the Go on the market right now.


Smallest action cam? Insta360 Go review: best video for camera this tiny

The Insta360 Go is so small it can be worn as a necklace-type pendant. Photo: Ben Sin

The Insta360 Go is a tiny action camera that shoots stabilized 1080p footage. It weighs less under 19 grams and is smaller than the average human thumb

The Insta360 Go comes with a charging dock that plugs directly to an iPhone for file transfers. The dock contains two additional charges for the Go.

The Insta360 Go comes with several accessories to mount or carry the camera, including this basic mount that allows the camera to stand up straight on flat surfaces, or be mounted on top of selfie stick or tripods.

There is a single button on the back of the Insta360 Go. To begin shooting simply press the button once. The camera boots up automatically and will begin shooting. When finished, the camera will go back to sleep and eventually turn off on its own. There is no need to manually turn on or off the camera. The same button activates other shooting modes such as motion lapse (double press) and slow motion (triple press).

The Insta360 Go is a tiny action camera that shoots stabilised 1080p footage. It weighs less under 19 grams and is smaller than the average human thumb

Lifestyle

Gadgets


The Insta360 Go weighs 18.3 grams and is smaller than the average human thumb
Its ultra portability makes it very easy to shoot videos throughout the day, capturing moments that may otherwise not be worth pulling out a camera for



Possibly the world’s smallest action camera, the Insta360 Go weighs 18.3 grams and is probably smaller than your thumb. There’s no other camera on the market of this size that can capture better videos.


Gadget reviews

Technology

China technology

Smallest action cam? Insta360 Go review: best video for camera this tiny

The Insta360 Go weighs 18.3 grams and is smaller than the average human thumb Its ultra portability makes it very easy to shoot videos throughout the day, capturing moments that may otherwise not be worth pulling out a camera for

The Insta360 Go weighs 18.3 grams and is smaller than the average human thumb

Its ultra portability makes it very easy to shoot videos throughout the day, capturing moments that may otherwise not be worth pulling out a camera for