The Holy Stone HS720 is one of the most popular drones on the market for beginner to intermediate drone enthusiasts. Packed with advanced features like GPS-assisted flight, a 4K UHD camera, and FAA-compliant Remote ID, the HS720 offers high value for both hobbyists and those looking to capture stunning aerial footage. This drone strikes a balance between affordability, portability, and performance, making it a top choice for anyone in search of a versatile quadcopter. In this detailed Holy Stone HS720 drone review, we’ll explore the key features, specifications, and pros and cons of the Holy Stone HS720, followed by an analysis of user reviews and a comparison with similar drones.
Holy Stone HS720 Key Features
1. 4K UHD Camera with Image Stabilization
The Holy Stone HS720 comes with a 4K UHD camera that captures sharp and clear aerial images and videos at a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. The camera is mounted on a shock-absorption holder, ensuring that vibrations are minimized during flight. Additionally, the camera's 90° adjustable lens allows users to change the shooting angle, providing flexibility for capturing different perspectives. The 5GHz FPV transmission further ensures that users can view real-time footage from a distance without significant lag.
2. GPS-Assisted Intelligent Flight
The HS720 features GPS-assisted flight, a crucial feature that allows the drone to return to its takeoff point automatically if the battery is low, the signal is lost, or the one-button return feature is triggered. Additionally, it comes with intelligent flight modes such as Follow Me, Waypoint, and Orbit Mode, enabling the drone to fly along a predetermined path or circle around a point of interest, which is especially useful for content creators focusing on aerial photography and videography.
FAA-Compliant Remote ID
One of the standout features of the HS720 is its FAA-compliant Remote ID. With new regulations requiring Remote ID for drones, the HS720 ensures that users can enjoy worry-free, compliant flights without the need to purchase an additional module. This is a huge advantage for anyone flying their drone in regulated airspace.
Long Battery Life and Brushless Motors
The HS720 is equipped with two intelligent batteries, each providing up to 26 minutes of flight time, for a total of 52 minutes with both batteries. The brushless motors offer lower power consumption, higher efficiency, and longer life than traditional motors, giving the HS720 a quiet and smooth flight experience.
Portability and Simple Operation
Designed for ease of use, the HS720 has a foldable design that makes it highly portable and convenient for outdoor adventures. The included carrying case further enhances its portability, making it easy to transport safely. The drone also boasts one-key start/stop, altitude hold, and an emergency stop function, making it simple to operate even for beginners.
Holy Stone HS720 Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Camera | 4K UHD, 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Flight Time | Up to 26 minutes per battery, 52 minutes total |
| Control Range | 3000 feet |
| Battery Capacity | 2800mAh |
| Motor Type | Brushless Motors |
| Weight | 460 grams |
| GPS | Yes, GPS-assisted with Intelligent Flight modes |
| Remote ID | FAA-compliant, integrated |
| Transmission Frequency | 5GHz FPV for real-time video |
| Camera Adjustability | 90° adjustable lens |
| Special Features | One-button return, Follow Me, Waypoints, Orbit mode |
Holy Stone HS720 Drone Review (Pros)
- 4K UHD Camera: The high-quality camera with image stabilization ensures clear, crisp, and stable footage, which is perfect for both photography and videography.
- GPS and Intelligent Flight Modes: The GPS-assisted features like Follow Me, Waypoints, and Orbit Mode allow users to capture hands-free footage and create precise, professional-level shots with ease.
- Long Battery Life: With two batteries providing up to 52 minutes of flight time, the HS720 offers one of the best endurance times in its class.
- FAA-Compliant Remote ID: The built-in Remote ID system means users don’t need to worry about extra compliance modules, making it ready for both hobby and professional use.
- Portability: Its foldable design and included carrying case make the HS720 easy to take on the go, ideal for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Brushless Motors: The brushless motors ensure that the drone operates quietly and efficiently, with minimal maintenance required.
Holy Stone HS720 Drone Review (Cons)
- No Gimbal: While the drone has image stabilization, it lacks a gimbal for more advanced stabilization. This can result in slightly shaky footage, especially in windy conditions or during fast movements.
- Limited Range: Although the control range is sufficient for most users at 3000 feet, some advanced users may prefer drones with longer transmission distances, especially for FPV flying.
- Slightly Heavier: Weighing 460 grams, the HS720 is not the lightest drone in its category. While it remains portable, some users may find lighter drones easier to carry for extended periods.
- Basic Image Controls: Unlike more expensive models, the HS720 doesn’t offer many advanced camera settings like aperture control or white balance adjustment, limiting its versatility for professional photographers.
Holy Stone HS720 drone review from Users
The Holy Stone HS720 has generally received positive reviews from users across different platforms, including Amazon and Drone Enthusiast forums. Users praise its camera quality, intelligent flight features, and battery life. Many first-time drone users found the one-button return feature and altitude hold helpful, ensuring a smooth flying experience.
Positive reviews highlight the ease of use for beginners, with one user noting, “The HS720 was my first drone, and I was amazed by how easy it was to fly. The camera quality is excellent, and the intelligent flight modes make it fun to use for capturing creative shots.”
However, there are some negative reviews as well. Some users pointed out that the lack of a gimbal led to slightly shaky footage when flying in windy conditions. “The camera is good, but without a gimbal, the footage can get a bit shaky when the wind picks up,” mentioned another reviewer on Amazon.
Check price and reviews of Holy Stone HS720 on Amazon.
Holy Stone HS720 vs. HS600 vs. HS900: A Detailed Comparison
When comparing the Holy Stone HS720, HS600, and HS900 drones, it’s essential to understand the different strengths and target users of each model. All three drones come with 4K cameras, integrated GPS systems, and long flight times, but their features diverge to cater to varying skill levels and intended use cases, making them suitable for different types of drone enthusiasts.
Starting with the Holy Stone HS720, this model is highly regarded as a reliable option for beginner and intermediate users. Its 4K UHD camera offers clear and high-quality imagery, and the image stabilization system provided by the shock-absorption holder reduces camera shake, ensuring smooth footage. The 90-degree adjustable lens allows for versatile shooting angles, making it great for aerial photography and videography. The GPS-assisted intelligent flight modes add significant value, enabling features like follow-me mode, waypoint navigation, and circle fly, allowing users to capture creative shots without manual intervention. Furthermore, the 2 batteries provide an impressive 52 minutes of flight time, which is ideal for extended sessions. Its lightweight, foldable design and well-fitted carrying case make the HS720 easy to transport, making it a great travel drone. The FAA-compliant Remote ID feature ensures that users can fly legally without worrying about additional regulatory burdens, making it an excellent entry-level drone for users concerned with compliance.
The Holy Stone HS600, on the other hand, introduces more advanced features and caters to a more serious audience with higher wind resistance and a built-in Remote ID. Its Level 6 wind resistance makes it highly capable of stable flight in windy conditions, a significant upgrade compared to the Level 5 resistance of the HS720. Like the HS720, the HS600 has a 4K camera, but it offers additional stability through its 2-axis gimbal and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), ensuring smooth footage even when the drone is moving or subjected to external environmental factors. The GPS system on the HS600 includes intelligent flight modes similar to those of the HS720, but the drone's 10,000 ft range offers a significant boost in range and flexibility for users who want to fly their drone at longer distances without losing control or video transmission. With 56 minutes of flight time provided by two batteries, the HS600 is perfect for extended sessions, making it ideal for professional photographers or videographers who need longer continuous flight time.
Finally, the Holy Stone HS900 stands out as the most advanced of the three models, positioning itself as a drone built for enthusiasts looking for top-tier performance and features. Like the HS600 and HS720, the HS900 comes equipped with a 4K camera but improves significantly on stability with a 3-axis gimbal, which provides far superior stabilization compared to the 2-axis gimbal of the HS600. This ensures that footage remains stable and professional-looking, even during fast flights or in turbulent conditions. The HS900 also benefits from longer-range flight capabilities than the HS720, though it falls slightly short of the HS600’s range. The 56-minute flight time is also comparable to the HS600, making it ideal for professional use or long video shoots. Additionally, the HS900 boasts brushless motors, providing quieter, more efficient flights, and its Level 6 wind resistance matches that of the HS600, making it highly stable in challenging weather conditions.
Conclusion
My conclusion of this Holy Stone HS720 Drone review is that it is an excellent choice for both beginners and intermediate drone users. Its 4K camera, GPS-assisted flight, FAA-compliant Remote ID, and intelligent flight modes provide a solid foundation for capturing stunning aerial footage. With its foldable design, long battery life, and user-friendly features, it’s a versatile and portable drone ideal for travel, outdoor photography, and content creation.
While it lacks a gimbal, the built-in image stabilization does a good job for casual users. For those looking for a drone with high-end features but without the high price tag, the HS720 is a strong contender. Whether you’re flying for fun or capturing beautiful landscapes, the HS720 offers excellent performance for its price.