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HolyStone HS900: A New Mini Camera Drone Contender
Updated on October 9, 2024
Let’s find out if HolyStone HS900 can become a great contender in the best drones for photography and filming! Will it outclass them? Or will it fail miserably?
This drone review will feature its camera quality, structure, design, flight performance, pros & cons, and its usage.
We aim to provide all product information to help you decide if it perfectly suits your preferences.
Quick Glance
The HolyStone HS900 is specially constructed with Eco-Friendly Plastic that makes it one of a kind in the drone world.
This drone only weighs 249 grams and has built-in FAA remote ID which makes it a great drone in the US (a great DJI alternative).
The drone’s camera quality is further enhanced by EIS and a 3-axis gimbal. It has a 1080p@60fps and 4K@30fps video capture resolution, coupled with a 48 MP image resolution.
You can enjoy Follow Me Mode (Follow & Parallel), QuickShots, and Circle Mode while capturing those aerial sceneries!
Furthermore, it has GPS Auto-Return feature, 3 Speed Modes, Level 5 Wind Resistance, and 30 minutes of maximum flight time.
A New contender for the best camera drones
HolyStone HS900 Rating
These are the results of our personal tests & challenges given to the drone with the consideration to its camera, flight performance, structure, design, and price range. HolyStone HS900 got an impressive overall rating of 90%.
Structure and Design
The HolyStone HS900 is specially constructed with Eco-Friendly Plastic that makes it one of a kind in the drone world.
This drone weighs 249 grams with dimensions of 8.54″L x 6.57″W x 2.44″H inches. It also has a gray & black color combination with compact and foldable design!
It has similar-looking features with DJI Mini 2 SE, it has brushless motors, and it has 3 sensors at the bottom: 1 for Optical Flow Positioning and 2 for Infrared Sensors (for detecting the ground).
Additionally, It has multiple cooling vents to prevent overheating and comes with GPS drone remote controller (that also has a phone holder that most phones fit into).
The built-in FAA Remote ID makes this drone extra-convenient to fly in the US. Learn more about drones that already have Remote ID and how important it is.
Despite it being a small and lightweight drone, it can certainly fly and remain stable through the harshness of outdoor winds (as long it doesn’t exceed 24 mph winds or level 5 winds).
Camera and Video Quality
The same with DJI Mini 2 SE, HolyStone HS900 camera has Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) coupled with 3-axis gimbal which helps he footage stay clear and stable even through bumps and knocks.
However, this drone has the advantage when it comes to camera quality since it can produce video resolutions of 4k@30fps and 1080P@60fps.
Additionally, it has f/2.6 aperture and can produce stunning 48MP images. It has 2 transmission choices: Fluently and HD (if you choose HD, its going to increase the quality but becomes choppy when the drone is getting little farther).
In recording rate, 50M & 100M are the choices, and for picture transmission scale, 16:9, Full, & Full(crop) are available.
Let’s talk about the camera features: Circle Mode is pretty accurate and it reminds you to check for surrounding obstacles before you start doing it.
Follow Me Mode has 2 options, Follow & Parallel: Follow is sometimes losing track while Parallel is pretty goo(these are normal circumstances with camera drones).
Honestly, the camera quality lives up on its 4k definition, definitely not like the other “promising camera drones” but not too great either.
This may sound critical but we have seen some parts of the video that have some flaws although the aerial image quality looks stunning and mesmerizing!
Flight Performance
The HolyStone HS900 comes with 1 modular battery that provides up to 30 minutes of flight time. If you upgrade to Fly More Combo, you’ll gain 1 more battery and a fast charging hub.
Usage Tip: You can maximize 30 minutes flight time when you just fly it around and avoid using Return to Home feature.
The superfast charging batteries stores power within 1.16 hours (with fast charging hub) to 1.33 hours in type C USB-cable.
This drone can be flown right out of the box since it doesn’t need GPS calibration. It can also resist wind speeds of up to 24 mph or level 5 winds.
Additionally, you can fly it 3 different speeds: Normal, Sport, and Stable (its own version of cinimatic mode). It also turns slowly which is great for “dramatic touches”.
It doesn’t have Geo-fencing (typically found in DJI drones) which restricts your drone to fly in a lot of airspace.
However, it lacks obstacle avoidance sensors, which could provide an extra layer of protection, especially for beginners flying this drone.
I recommend bringing a launching pad if you are flying outdoors since it’s a small drone and almost everything is bigger and taller than this.
Usage of this Drone
All things considered, it has impressive camera quality, outstanding flight performance and durable structure.
You can use it for a variety of recreational activities such as aerial photography & videography, exploration, sightseeing, hobby flying, infrastructure inspection and many more.
Eventhough it is on the pricey side, this drone can still be a good starting point into the exciting world of drones.
Features and Details
| FEATURES | DETAILS |
| 4k Camera | You can enjoy 4k@30fps and 1080P@60fps video resolutions as well as the impressive 48MP image resolution |
| Lightweight and Portable | HolyStone HS900 only weighs 249 grams and it is also foldable making it a great traveling companion! |
| Built-in FAA Remote ID | This is important for safety & security of the drone as well as easily identify the drone operator. |
| Extended Flight Time | The flight time of this drone is up to 30 minutes although this varies depending on the amount of work the drone is undertaking. |
| Speed Modes | You can certainly adjust your speed preferences with 3 available options: Stable, Normal, and Sport |
| Level 5 (24kph) Wind Resistance | A lot of mini drones are having problems with strong wind pressure but not the HolyStone HS900. It is able to withstand up to Level 5 (24 kph) wind pressure making it a relibale companion in windy areas. |
| GPS Auto Return | Afraid to lose your drone? Well, one-click Return-to-Home feature is available on this drone! |
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Specifications
| Brand | Holy Stone |
|---|---|
| Model Name | HS900 |
| Special Feature | 20000Ft Transmission Range Drone with Camera for Adults, SONY 1/2.3” CMOS Sensor, f/2.6 Aperture, 48MP 4K Camera, 3 Axis Brushless Gimbal, Level 5 Wind Resistance, Quick Shots, Visual Tracking Follow Me Drone, No Need FAA/Remote ID, 249g Lightweight |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Video Capture Resolution | 4K 30FPS |
| Connectivity Technology | Remote Control |
| Included Components | Holy Stone HS900 GPS Drone Intelligent Modular Battery, Holy Stone HS900 GPS Drone with Camera for Adults 4K, Holy Stone HS900 4K GPS Drone Remote Controller |
| Item Weight | 8.7 Ounces |
| Battery Capacity | 2250 Milliamp Hours |
| Control Type | Remote Control |
| Media Type | SD |
| Material | Eco Friendly Plastic |
| Wireless Communication Technology | Wi-Fi |
| Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Polymer |
| Are Batteries Included | Yes |
| Video Output Resolution | 1920×1080 Pixels |
| Remote Control Included? | Yes |
| Rechargeable Battery Included | Yes |
| Product Dimensions | 8.54″L x 6.57″W x 2.44″H |
Conclusion
In this HolyStone HS900 drone review, we have certainly seen that it is a pretty decent performing drone under 250 grams you can find out there.
The camera on this drone produces stable and quality photos and videos as well as includes advance features that levels up your aerial photography and filming.
It is durable and convenient since it’s foldable and primarily made of Eco-friendly plastic. Plus, it is built with GPS Return to Home feature that further enhances its safety.
All these factors support the HolyStone HS900 as an incredible outdoor drone. However, this drone also has its weak spots; the lack of collision avoidance, insufficient features, and a little bit on the pricey side.
Overall, HolyStone HS900 is still an impressive mini camera drone just waiting for you to test and unleash your hidden potential of becoming one of the best sky captains!
