The sub-250 g drone market is bustling with competition, and the Holy Stone HS900 Pro is the latest contender aiming to challenge established brands like DJI. Priced at around $389.99 / £369.99, this drone targets beginners and enthusiasts seeking advanced features without a hefty price tag. But can it truly compete with more established models?
In this review, we’ll delve into the Holy Stone HS900 Pro’s specifications, flight performance, camera capabilities, and intelligent features to determine if it’s a worthy investment. We’ll also compare it to other popular drones in the same category to help you make an informed decision.
The Holy Stone HS900 Pro: Design and Build Quality
The HS900 Pro sports a compact, folding design that’s typical of sub-250 g drones. When folded, it measures 5.63×3.26×2.44 in (143×82.8×62 mm), making it highly portable. Unfolded, it expands to 6.59×8.57×2.44 in (167.4×217.8×62 mm). The drone’s lightweight yet sturdy plastic airframe ensures durability without adding unnecessary weight.
The controller that accompanies the HS900 Pro is also folding, accommodating smartphones of all sizes. It features detachable control sticks and a range of buttons for easy operation. The controller’s design is reminiscent of the older DJI Mavic 2 controller, offering a familiar layout for those acquainted with DJI’s products.
Flight Performance and Intelligent Features
The HS900 Pro delivers impressive flight performance, with smooth, responsive controls that make capturing stable video and executing precise maneuvers a breeze. Despite its lightweight design, the drone offers Level 5 wind resistance allowing it to cope with winds of up to 24 mph.
The drone features three flight modes: Stable, Normal, and Sport, with maximum speeds of 11 mph, 22 mph, and 31 mph, respectively. Safety features include Smart Return-to-HomeLow Battery Return-to-Home and Signal Loss Return-to-Home.
Intelligent flight modes such as Follow MePoint of Interest (Orbit)Waypoint FlightGesture ControlSpiral Flight and Cruise Control make aerial photography and videography accessible to beginners. The drone’s AI Subject Tracking keeps the subject centered in the frame, offering two tracking modes: AI Following and AI Parallel.
Battery Life and Range
The HS900 Pro is equipped with a 2250 mAh battery that provides up to 30 minutes of flight time. During testing, flight times typically ranged around 23 minutes in normal wind conditions. The drone initiates Return to Home at 20% battery charge, either automatically or manually.
The video transmission range extends up to 6.2 miles, ensuring a stable connection for most recreational flights. However, it’s essential to adhere to local regulations and maintain a direct line of sight with the drone.
Camera Capabilities and Image Quality
At the heart of the HS900 Pro is a 48MP camera capable of capturing 4K video at 30 FPS and FHD video up to 60 FPS. The camera features a 1/2.3-inch Sony CMOS sensor with an 83-degree field of view and a fixed f/2.6 aperture.
Photo shooting modes include Single ShotBurst ShotTimer ShotTime-LapseSlow MotionCamera Filter and Panorama. The drone also offers Dolly Zoom for video, which works well despite using the camera’s digital zoom.
While the HS900 Pro’s JPEG images look good, its RAW photos suffer from terrible color casts that are difficult to correct. This issue is a significant drawback for those seeking to post-process their images. Additionally, the drone lacks a histogram and Automatic Exposure Bracketing which are essential for more advanced users.
Holy Stone HS900 Pro: Should You Buy It?
The Holy Stone HS900 Pro is a reasonable option for those looking for an affordable camera drone with more than just the basics. Its lightweight design, impressive flight performance, and intelligent features make it an attractive choice for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
However, the lack of obstacle avoidance and the issues with RAW photo quality put it at a disadvantage compared to other models in the same price range. Additionally, some features feel incomplete and could benefit from firmware updates.
If you’re considering the HS900 Pro, it’s essential to weigh its pros and cons against other popular drones in the sub-250 g market, such as the DJI Mini 5 ProDJI Lito 1 and Potensic Atom 2. Each of these drones offers unique features and capabilities that may better suit your specific needs.
