DJI has launched the Lito series, and it honestly feels like they are still one step ahead of the competition. Until now, the Mini 4K was the classic “first drone”, but it is now becoming quite clear that Lito is taking over that role – and doing it very convincingly.
DJI Lito 1 and Lito X1 are both aimed primarily at beginners and hobby users, but in reality they offer features that we previously tended to see only on more expensive models. That is exactly their biggest strength.
Small, lightweight and easy to take anywhere
Both drones weigh under 250 grams and feature a foldable design, making them very easy to carry around. This is not just a “travel drone”, but rather the kind of drone you genuinely take everywhere – hiking, traveling or simply out for a weekend of shooting.
In flight, Lito is very stable and easy to control. This is especially important for beginners, as the drone does not feel nervous or unpredictable. At the same time, it has enough speed and power to follow moving subjects – whether that is a cyclist, a car or someone surfing.
One important detail: this is not an “indoor drone”. The exposed propellers mean it is designed primarily for outdoor flying and more active shots.
Safety – DJI has made a big leap here
One thing that immediately stands out about the Lito series is obstacle detection. Both models have 360° obstacle avoidance, which is far from common in this price range.
DJI Lito X1 goes one step further by adding a forward-facing LiDAR sensor. This means the drone can better “see” more difficult obstacles – such as thin branches or objects in low-light environments. In practice, this makes flying safer and gives you more confidence, especially when using ActiveTrack.
And honestly – it works surprisingly well. The drone can track a subject while smoothly maneuvering around obstacles without requiring constant manual input.
Flight time and ease of use
Battery life is very strong for this class – up to 36 minutes on a single charge. In real-world use, that is closer to around 25 minutes, but even that is a very respectable result.
Lito also supports DJI QuickTransfer (Wi-Fi 6), making it fast and convenient to transfer files to your phone. This is especially useful if you create content for social media and do not want to use a computer every time.
All the familiar DJI smart features are also available – ActiveTrack, QuickShots and more – making filming easy even if you do not have much experience.
Camera – the biggest difference between the two
While the design and flight characteristics of Lito 1 and X1 are quite similar, the biggest difference is the camera.
DJI Lito 1 uses a smaller sensor and works well for everyday use – social media, hobby photography and simpler video work. In good lighting, it can produce very nice results, but image quality starts to fall off more quickly in low light.
DJI Lito X1 is on another level. A larger sensor, 10-bit video and the D-Log M profile give you considerably more flexibility in post-production. This means better dynamic range and an overall cleaner image – especially in more challenging lighting conditions.
During the day, the image is sharp and the colors look accurate, while at night or in low light you can still get very usable footage. It is not in the same class as the Mini 5 Pro or larger drones, but within its own category it is very strong.
As for drawbacks, the digital zoom is not particularly impressive, and true vertical video cannot be recorded by physically rotating the camera.
Tracking and real-world use
ActiveTrack works well on both models, but thanks to LiDAR, the X1 is clearly more precise – especially in more complex environments or low-light conditions. If you plan to film movement, such as cycling, running or cars, the difference is noticeable in real use.
The drones can fly fairly quickly and handle wind well, making them good tools for more active shots. At the same time, they are not designed for aerobatics or an FPV-style experience – they are better suited to stable and controlled filming.
Conclusion – which one should you choose?
DJI has made a very strong move with the Lito series. Features that were previously found mainly on more expensive models are now available at a much more accessible price point.
In practical terms:
- Lito 1 is a good choice if you simply want your first drone for taking photos and videos and do not plan to do much post-production
- Lito X1 is the model I would recommend to most people – for a relatively small price difference, you get a noticeably better camera, LiDAR and greater flexibility
Available in our online store: DJI Lito 1 from €339 • DJI Lito X1 from €419