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DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. Holy Stone HS720E (Here’s My Choice)
Table of Contents
There are two kinds of drone users. Some only want a durable and capable drone to have fun. Other people require a more sophisticated drone to provide a service or do charity.
Although it seems these two users have totally different needs, they share something in common. They are on a budget and looking for the best quality their money can buy.
The Holy Stone HS720 is the perfect drone for beginners that want a robust and long-lasting device to have fun. The DJI Mini 3 Pro has high-end features that suit commercial use.
In this article, we’ll provide a thorough overview of these two masterpieces.
We’ll also explain when you’ll want one over the other and which suits you according to your personal needs.
DJI Mini 3 Pro overview #
Our Choice
Dimensions: 9.88 x 14.25 x 2.76 inWeight: 249 gMax Range: 18 to 25 kmMax Flying Time: 34 to 47 mins per batteryCamera Still Resolution: 3840 x 2160Camera Shutter: ElectronicLive View Quality: Up to 1080@30Video Resolution: Up to ****4K@60Internal Storage: NoExternal Max Storage: 512 GB microSD cardGPS: Yes
✅ Pros #
- You don’t need to register it for recreational flights
- Its camera can shoot in a vertical configuration for social media content
- It comes with three-directional obstacle avoidance sensors
- Its camera has dual native ISO for enhanced imagery in highlights and shadows
❌ Cons #
- It’s way more expensive than the HS720E
- With the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, it weighs more than 250 grams and needs registration
DJI designed the Mini 3 Pro for the creative professional to avoid spending an arm and a leg on a drone.
What makes it so special is its camera and flight capabilities that resembles a more expensive drone.
The camera comes with a three-axis gimbal for a maximum stable image. Say goodbye to the undesired blur in your footage.
With the dual native ISO, you can shoot in bright or dark scenarios without losing color quality or image detail. Your shots will always look crisp.
This drone has a portrait mode for social media content creators without too much editing background.
It’s not a camera function, but its gimbal rotates until vertical. That way, you can get vertical shots with high fidelity and publish them on the go.
You can install two different batteries on this drone.
The Intelligent Flight Battery allows up to 34 minutes of uninterrupted flying, and the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus up to 47 minutes. You’ll be able to complete most jobs without changing the battery.
The Mini 3 Pro has a remote controller with a wonderful signal that lets you fly between 18 and 25 kilometers depending on the battery used. You can cover any distance without worrying about losing the signal.
What makes it more spectacular is its obstacle avoidance system.
This drone can bypass obstacles in the front, below, and back. You can fly it in areas with trees, buildings, or other objects, as it will automatically dodge them.
However, it costs over $300, and you surely don’t want to use it just for fun.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 Pro: How to Register (Video)
Holy Stone HS720E overview #
Dimensions: 13.27 x 9.45 x 2.28 inWeight: 495 gMax Range: 1 kmMax Flying Time: 23 mins per batteryCamera Still Resolution: 3840 x 2160Camera Shutter: ElectronicLive View Quality: Up to 4K@30Video Resolution: Up to ****4K@30Internal Storage: NoExternal Max Storage: 128 GB microSD cardGPS: Yes
✅ Pros #
- This drone is sturdy enough for beginners learning to fly
- You can get it in a complete bundle for less than the Mini 3 Pro
- It comes with features like follow-me
- EIS eliminates excessive jittering
- It has downward positioning lights to spot it easily in the air
❌ Cons #
- You need to register it
- It lacks obstacle-avoidance sensors
The HS720E drone is below $400, so it doesn’t match the Mini 3 Pro in every aspect.
However, Holy Stone gives you a no-brainer value for the money.
First, it’s a beautiful drone that resembles DJI drones. If looks matter to you, you get a nice-looking drone you can find in different colors.
It’s also sturdy and feels durable to the touch. It will handle hard landings without breaking.
Although it lacks a gimbal, EIS reduces excessive jittering. You won’t get professional-looking footage like the Mini 3 Pro, but you certainly get 4K imagery with acceptable detail.
It can fly up to 1 kilometer from its remote control, facing little to no signal loss. You can fly it up to the regulated 500 meters without any issue. As it comes with different flight speeds, you can increase the flight difficulty while you progress.
The H720E boasts 23 minutes of flight with a single battery.
What’s more impressive is that you get two batteries, as the drone comes in a bundle. You can fly this drone for up to 46 minutes, having more than enough time to practice and increase your skills.
- Holy Stone HS720E vs. Ruko F11 Pro (Here’s My Choice)
- Best Drones Under $1,000
DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. Holy Stone HS720E (In-depth comparison) #
You now know the Mini 3 Pro is perfect for content creators who want to avoid spending $1,000 or more and still need a reliable, powerful camera drone that takes crisp footage.
On the other hand, the HS720E is the number-one option for those who only want to fly for fun but need a reliable, long-lasting drone.
However, you might still feel indecisive, so here is a side-by-side comparison between these drones.
» MORE: Holy Stone HS720E Vs. DJI Mini 2 (Here’s My Choice)
Build and design #
These drones look incredibly similar. Both lack proper landing gear on their arms, only having four little legs on the belly.
The Mini 3 Pro is lighter, needing smaller engines to lift, so lacking landing gear on the legs for extra support isn’t a big deal.
The only downside is that part of the gimbal is almost at belly level. On an uneven surface at landing, the gimbal can get damaged due to a hit.
The HS720 is almost 500 grams, and its engines are bigger, so the landing gears on the legs for hard landings would give it extra support.
However, this drone has robust arm hinges and demonstrates that it doesn’t need it even when hard landing.
Remember that the HS720E belly is so near the ground that landing in an uneven area can damage its downward sensors. Avoid landing both drones on uneven surfaces.
Although the drones have sensing systems, the Mini 3 Pro also features obstacle avoidance sensors. This system helps the drone stop before crashing and dodging obstacles in the front, back, and below.
Having these sensors doesn’t make the Mini 3 Pro better in quality but in design.
Consider the HS720E is a more robust drone, and impacts won’t affect it as much as the Mini 3 Pro. The reason is the Mini 3 Pro has a gimbal, and gimbals are susceptible to hard landings or crashes
So if you are a complete newbie, we recommend the HS720E. Once you master drone flying, you can get the Mini 3 Pro as an enhanced drone.
» MORE: How Fast Can Drones Fly? (An In-Depth Guide)
Weight and size #
If you value a tiny and lightweight drone more than anything, the Mini 3 Pro is the only winner.
The Mini 3 Pro weighs the same as an iPhone 14 Pro Max, so you can carry it all day in your backpack.
That’s contrary to the HS720E, which weighs almost double and is larger. Carrying it for hours on your back is not as heavy, but Holy Stone includes a carry bag for transportation.
The HS720E extra weight isn’t bad at all. It gives it increased stability against wind gusts, making maneuverability easier when the wind hits hard.
So if you value flight stability more than anything in windy scenarios, go with the HS720E.
» MORE: Bringing a Drone on a Plane – Ultimate Guide
Camera comparison #
Both drones have 4K cameras with image stabilization.
DJI mounted the Mini 3 Pro camera with a three-axis gimbal so the footage won’t have any blur. The footage will always look professional and natural.
Also, this drone camera comes with a Sony CMOS sensor with dual native ISO. You can take a video directly facing the sun, and it will look crisp and have the correct exposure.
The Mini 3 Pro camera can also use ND filters, so you can correct the lighting for easy post-editing.
This drone can store in RAW on a microSD card to maintain its footage with the max quality. By the way, you can install a microSD card with up to 256 GB of memory.
The EIS on the HS720E allows you to obtain beautiful footage with little to no jittering. However, as it lacks a gimbal, the final product has a robotic feeling inappropriate for professional use.
The HS720E also uses a Sony camera sensor, but Holy Stone doesn’t state its CMOS grade. You can tell that zooming or getting crisp images with it is a challenge, making it worse for professional shooting.
However, the HS720E camera works amazingly to shoot vacations and fun stuff you won’t sell as a service.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro Camera Settings (Explained for Beginners)
Flight experience #
The idea behind these drones is to film in 4K.
Both drones are incredibly nice to fly, as they have stability aids for you to focus on the footage. They have GNSS modules and downward positioning sensors that allow them to hover at a fixed altitude.
They will return to the same location when the wind moves them, thanks to GPS positioning systems.
You only need to take off, and they immediately hover in place, even when you move the remote controller joysticks to the neutral position.
With both drones, you can focus on filming more than flying. When you feel confident enough, they have modes to increase the drone’s speed for a more fun flight experience.
» MORE: When Drone Flights Go Wrong (What Not to Do)
Flight time #
The clear winner is the Mini 3 Pro, having 11 minutes more flight time with the standard battery and 24 minutes more with the Plus battery. The Mini 3 Pro doesn’t have the Plus battery by default; you must buy it separately.
However, the HS720E comes with two batteries for a total flight time of 47 minutes. From a single purchase perspective, the HS720E flies 13 minutes more with the two batteries.
Considering what you get with the HS720E and Mini 3 Pro, the Holy Stone drone gives you more flight time from a single purchase.
Again, it’s about your budget.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 Pro Battery (All You Need to Know)
Flight range #
The Mini 3 Pro is far superior, with 14 kilometers more flying range when it uses the standard battery. With the Battery Plus, the flight range increases up to 25 kilometers.
Regulations state that you can only fly your drone at a visible range of 500 meters.
The Mini 3 Pro has an impressive flying range that translates into a more stable signal, with both drones easily covering this range.
However, the HS720E can face more signal losses than the Mini 3 Pro before achieving the 500-meter threshold.
» MORE: Long Range Drones: Ultimate Guide
Smart features #
They both have enough intelligent modes for fun recordings and safety. They come with the popular follow-me to record a target without controlling the drone and RTH when the battery is low.
However, using follow-me without obstacle avoidance can be dangerous, as it won’t stop when facing an obstacle or won’t be able to dodge it. The Mini 3 Pro is safer to operate.
Only use follow-me in the HS720E in a wide-open area without obstacles.
Besides, the Mini 3 Pro has more impressive modes for cinematic shooting.
It can use a cine mode which makes it incredibly slow and stable. That way, you can shoot impressively stable and dramatic cinematic sunset footage while it flies on a beach.
Price #
The HS720E wins every time here.
You get a complete bundle with a carrying case, an extra battery, and accessories with a single purchase.
You can get the same for the Mini 3 Pro, but the complete bundle is up to four times more than the HS720E.
Even when buying the Mini 3 Pro without the remote controller and with a single battery, the HS720 is cheaper.
As we explained before, with the HS720, you receive an incredibly high-quality drone.
So why do their prices differ so much?
The DJI drone camera achieves professional footage that is impossible to get with the Holy Stone drone. DJI is more recognizable than Holy Stone, so you also buy the brand.
» MORE: Best Drones Under $500
Ease of use #
Both drones are incredibly easy to use thanks to the GPS stability aid.
However, the HS720E is heavier. This extra weight makes it more stable against wind gusts, so it’s generally easier to control.
The HS720E also comes with a headless mode. When activated, when you push the remote controller joystick for the drone to go forward, it will go forward. It may seem obvious, but it’s not. Without headless mode, the north of the drone changes constantly.
So you must know where the drone heads to understand how to move the sticks. That’s how you control the Mini 3 Pro, as it lacks a headless mode.
With the appropriate training, this isn’t an issue, but it makes it easier for beginners to fly the HS720E.
Why choose the DJI Mini 3 Pro over Holy Stone HS720E #
Are you a content creator? The Mini 3 Pro is the perfect choice.
The drone allows you to take impressive footage without too much effort. It has trustworthy GPS modules that maintain hovering in place in windy conditions.
The three-axis gimbal removes jittering from the final footage if the drone shakes in flight due to strong wind gusts.
If you want to shoot on a sunny day or at dawn, you still get detailed footage with accurate colors thanks to its dual native ISO feature.
The vertical shooting mode helps you get content you can immediately upload to at the highest quality for social media creators with little to no editing background.
The only consideration is the use of the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus. This battery adds extra weight to the Mini 3 Pro, so you must register it.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro: One-Year Review (Video)
Why choose the Holy Stone HS720E over DJI Mini 3 Pro #
With the HS720E, you guarantee a fun 46-minute flight. You can also practice with it, as it’s sturdier, supporting more hard landings.
You can use all the same intelligent flight modes the Mini 3 Pro has, such as follow me and RTH.
What’s better: DJI Mini 3 Pro or Holy Stone HS720E? #
Aside from the price, the Mini 3 Pro is superior from any perspective.
Its camera has a 1/3-inch CMOS sensor with a three-axis gimbal for stable images. For high-contrast environments, the dual native ISO helps you achieve gorgeous footage without distortion.
You can’t compare their remote controllers in quality, as the Mini 3 Pro one feels premium and the HS720E cheap. Its longer range and signal strength demonstrate that the DJI version is superior.
Finally, the Mini 3 has a collision avoidance and sensing system in three directions, which can save your drone from an inadvertent crash.
The HS720E drone doesn’t have any obstacle avoidance system.
However, if you’re on a tight budget and want to enjoy drone flying as a hobby, the HS720E is the right choice.
» MORE: Best Budget Drones with 3-Axis Gimbal
Where to store the photos and videos I take with these drones #
Neither of these drones comes with internal memory.
Both HS720E and Mini 3 Pro use microSD cards with at least Class 10 U3 speed. These memory cards guarantee your footage, as they can store high-quality imagery and high-bitrate video recordings.
But what are the best options to use for each drone?
» MORE: DJI Mini 3/Pro – How to Transfer Videos/Photos to a Windows PC (Video)
Which microSD card to use with the DJI Mini 3 Pro? #
If you’re one of those people who like to store everything in one card, your best bet is the SanDisk Extreme 512GB V30 A2 microSDXC.
It’s the only one DJI recommends for this drone that has such impressive capacity. You can store all your high-quality videos without worrying about running out of space quickly.
However, every photographer should have 64 and 128-GB microSD cards, as you shouldn’t save all your content on one microSD card. After all, they get corrupted easily, and you can lose all your work.
The three best microSD cards for the DJI Mini 3 Pro are:
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SanDisk Extreme Pro MicroSDXC UHS-I U3 A2 V30 64GB + Adapter<p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-image" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G3GMRYF?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1056069" data-lasso-name="SanDisk Extreme Pro MicroSDXC UHS-I U3 A2 V30 64GB + Adapter" title="SanDisk Extreme Pro MicroSDXC UHS-I U3 A2 V30 64GB + Adapter"></p> <p> </a> </p> <p> $13.34 </p> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-button-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G3GMRYF?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1056069" data-lasso-name="SanDisk Extreme Pro MicroSDXC UHS-I U3 A2 V30 64GB + Adapter" title="SanDisk Extreme Pro MicroSDXC UHS-I U3 A2 V30 64GB + Adapter"><br /> Buy from Amazon </a> </p> <p> We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. </p> <p> 01/14/2024 05:47 am GMT </p></li> <li> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-title" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P7M6K35?tag=droneblog0a-20&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1029406" data-lasso-name="SanDisk Extreme 512 GB" title="SanDisk Extreme 512 GB"><br /> SanDisk Extreme 512 GB </a> </p> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-image" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P7M6K35?tag=droneblog0a-20&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1029406" data-lasso-name="SanDisk Extreme 512 GB" title="SanDisk Extreme 512 GB"></p> <p> </a> </p> <p> $129.99<br /> $46.02 </p> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-button-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P7M6K35?tag=droneblog0a-20&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1029406" data-lasso-name="SanDisk Extreme 512 GB" title="SanDisk Extreme 512 GB"><br /> Buy from Amazon </a> </p> <p> We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. </p> <p> 01/12/2024 09:16 pm GMT </p></li> <li> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-title" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GGCHKML?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1027221" data-lasso-name="Lexar 1066x Professional 128GB A2 V30" title="Lexar 1066x Professional 128GB A2 V30"><br /> Lexar 1066x Professional 128GB A2 V30 </a> </p> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-image" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GGCHKML?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1027221" data-lasso-name="Lexar 1066x Professional 128GB A2 V30" title="Lexar 1066x Professional 128GB A2 V30"></p> <p> </a> </p> <p> $18.99<br /> $14.49 </p> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-button-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GGCHKML?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1027221" data-lasso-name="Lexar 1066x Professional 128GB A2 V30" title="Lexar 1066x Professional 128GB A2 V30"><br /> Buy from Amazon </a> </p> <p> We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. </p> <p> 01/13/2024 08:16 pm GMT </p></li> </ol> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"> Which microSD card to use with the Holy Stone HS720E? </h3> <p> This drone accepts microSD cards up to 128 GB. Here are some cards to use: </p> <ol id="lasso-anchor-id-microsd-cards-104041" class="lasso-list-ol lasso-list-style-decimal"> <li> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-title" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCMBLV6?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1055999" data-lasso-name="SanDisk 64GB Extreme microSDXC" title="SanDisk 64GB Extreme microSDXC"><br /> SanDisk 64GB Extreme microSDXC </a> </p> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-image" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCMBLV6?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1055999" data-lasso-name="SanDisk 64GB Extreme microSDXC" title="SanDisk 64GB Extreme microSDXC"></p> <p> </a> </p> <p> $9.99 </p> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-button-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCMBLV6?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1055999" data-lasso-name="SanDisk 64GB Extreme microSDXC" title="SanDisk 64GB Extreme microSDXC"><br /> Buy from Amazon </a> </p> <p> We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. </p> <p> 01/13/2024 08:21 pm GMT </p></li> <li> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-title" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCMKK5X?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1025549" data-lasso-name="SanDisk Extreme 128 GB" title="SanDisk Extreme 128 GB"><br /> SanDisk Extreme 128 GB </a> </p> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-image" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCMKK5X?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1025549" data-lasso-name="SanDisk Extreme 128 GB" title="SanDisk Extreme 128 GB"></p> <p> </a> </p> <p> $14.99 </p> <p> Built for and tested in harsh conditions: Temperature Proof, Water Proof, Shock Proof, and x-ray Proof. </p> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-button-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCMKK5X?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1025549" data-lasso-name="SanDisk Extreme 128 GB" title="SanDisk Extreme 128 GB"><br /> Buy from Amazon </a> </p> <p> We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. </p> <p> 01/13/2024 11:16 pm GMT </p></li> <li> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-title" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0887GP791?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1057274" data-lasso-name="SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC UHS-I U3" title="SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC UHS-I U3"><br /> SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC UHS-I U3 </a> </p> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-image" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0887GP791?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1057274" data-lasso-name="SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC UHS-I U3" title="SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC UHS-I U3"></p> <p> </a> </p> <p> $47.75 </p> <p> <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" class="lasso-button-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0887GP791?tag=droneblog0a-20" data-lasso-box-trackable="true" data-lasso-id="1057274" data-lasso-name="SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC UHS-I U3" title="SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC UHS-I U3"><br /> Buy from Amazon </a> </p> <p> We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. </p> <p> 01/13/2024 08:26 pm GMT </p></li> </ol>