SJRC S70W vs. HS100 – Two Entry-Level GPS Drones

The SJ RC S70W is definitely an intriguing drone. It isn’t terribly expensive ($120), has GPS stability, and a 5-megapixel camera. It also appears to be the same drone as one of the top-selling drones, the Holy Stone HS100G, on Amazon. What’s the main difference between Amazon’s Holy Stone and the SJRC S70W? The SJRC is only half the price. Let’s take a closer look.

The first thing you will notice about the S70W is the design. It is a classic X-shaped quadcopter and it was definitely designed to mimic the look of the DJI Phantom. While it certainly can’t compare to the Phantom, it does have some solid features and will only cost you about 1/10 what a new Phantom will. Surprisingly the HS100G looks identical.

Note that Amazon also has the older HS100, which is basically the same drone as Holy Stone’s newer HS100G. The original HS100 has a lower resolution 720 camera.

The SJ RC S70W Camera

There are two camera options with the S70W. We definitely recommend the 5 MP version over the 2 MP.  Don’t expect to capture great aerial videos with either camera, as there is no image stabilization. The video still isn’t bad compared to much of the competition and the 5 MP camera will take decent still photos.

The camera is adjustable via a servo so you can use it to line up shots. It won’t do well in low light situations but will perform suitably outdoors and in good light.

SJ RC S70 Specs

The SJRC S70 has a pretty decent flight time of 15 minutes. It is powered by a 2S 2500 mAh battery that will show you via LED indicators your battery level. The S70W claims a range of up to 400 meters, but realistically you won’t get a WiFi signal any further than 50-100 meters. Yes, you could fly further away, but not being able to see your drone or the feed from the camera is never a good idea.

GPS Stability

The SJ RC S70W relies on both altitude hold and GPS to help keep it stable. It does a nice job of keeping the drone level and makes flying a lot easier. The S70W also has a reliable return-to-home feature thanks to its GPS.

S70W vs Holy Stone HS100

The SJ RC S70W appears to be the same exact drone as the Holy Stone HS100. We talked with some people that have knowledge of the supply chain in Shenzhen, and this is pretty common practice. One manufacturer will supply many different sellers with the same drone. The only difference is often packaging and labeling.

Are these drones worth it?

The HS100 is one of the top-selling drones on Amazon with a 4.5-star rating from over 1200 reviews. Is it a good deal? Absolutely not. For that price, you would be better off with a Parrot Bebop 2 or even a Yuneec Breeze.

A reasonable price is not $250 or $280 (for the HS100G). A good price is $100 to $150, and the good news is that you can buy this drone for that price. It is called the SJ RC S70W.

What Is the BEST Drone?

So what is the absolute best drone out there? That question isn’t as easy to answer as you’d think. BUT…for most people the answer is the DJI Mavic Air. It is portable, has an awesome camera and excellent flight modes. Learn more about the Mavic Air HERE.

What Is Our FAVORITE Drone?

The Mavic Air is great but the drone that has us excited to go fly the most right now is the Parrot Anafi. The camera and gimbal setup on this drone allow it to do things that no other drone can. Plus, having the ability to zoom in on what you are filming is priceless. Learn more about the Parrot Anafi HERE.

What Drone Is the Best VALUE?

The best value on the market today has to be the DJI Spark. Now under $400, this little dynamo can do things that once upon a time cost over $1000. Learn more about the DJI Spark HERE. Still too much money for you? There are still some great options. Check out our list of the best drones under $200.

Want More Options?

Every month we update what we believe are the best drones on the market. Check out Best Drones Now. We have also created the one-of-a-kind Half Chrome Drone Cipher™. You answer a few questions and we’ll pair you with the best drone for you.

Do you want to search by price? Click on your menu above or we can break it down for you. Check out drones under $50, from $50-100, from $100-200, from $200-500 or over $500. Maybe you like a good Top Ten list, we’ve got you covered.

Learn More…

If you want to learn more about taking great pictures or flying FPV then check out our comprehensive guides on those topics. Also, take a look at our articles on how to choose the right drone for great aerial photos or for getting started flying race drones. Learn more about drones and how to get the most out of them in our Drone Academy. In the Academy, we also detail some of the advanced testing we do including drone thrust testing and camera quality testing.

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