DJI Lito X1, full review: the best choice for beginners?

With the DJI Lito 1 and Lito X1, DJI is upgrading its entry-level drone range, replacing “classic” Mini models like the Mini SE, Mini 2 SE or Mini 4K with more modern, better-equipped drones. But what is this DJI Lito X1 really worth? What does it offer that the Lito 1 didn’t? Who is it for? And above all, is this the drone for you today? All the answers in this comprehensive review of the DJI Lito X1.

DJI Lito X1: What you need to know

No time (or laziness 😅 ) to read it all? Here are the key points to remember about the DJI Lito X1 👇

• 🧳 Compact folding design weighing less than 250 g, with C0 and C1 classes in Europe depending on the configuration used
• 📡 Reliable, stable DJI O4 transmission, with announced range of up to 8 km in CE
• 🕹️ Compatible with DJI RC-N3 and DJI RC 2 with integrated display
• 🔋 Up to 36 min theoretical autonomy with standard battery, and up to 52 min with Plus battery
• 🧠 O mnidirectional obstacle detection with front LiDAR sensors , even in low-light conditions
• 🎯 ActiveTrack subject tracking with Point of Interest and Spotlight modes
• 🎬 Video modes much more comprehensive than before: slow motion, Hyperlapse, QuickShots, MasterShots, Waypoint…
• 📷 1 /1.3-inch CMOS sensor with 4K video at up to 100 fps, Full HD slow motion at up to 200 fps and 48 MP RAW photos
• 🎨 1 0-bit D-Log M profile for greater control in post-production
• 💾 42 GB internal memory plus microSD port compatible up to 1 TB
• 💸 F our packs available from €419, up to the Fly More Plus bundle with long-range batteries

📌 A feature-rich entry-level drone, designed for those who want to go a little further on the image than the Lito 1.

DJI Lito X1 : Design

Weight	249 g (standard battery) 340 g (Plus battery)
Dimensions (folded, without helices) (L x W x H)	149 × 94 × 62 mm
Dimensions (unfolded, without propellers) (L x W x H)	183 × 251 × 79 mm
Storage	42 GB internal memory microSD card (up to 1 TB)
Class (Europe)	C0 / C1

The DJI Lito X1 is clearly in the spirit of the Mini series, with a foldable, compact drone that weighs in at under 250g with the standard battery. Like the Lito 1, it’s easy to transport and still complies with European C0 class requirements. On the dimensions side, it’s as compact as ever: 149 × 94 × 62 mm when folded, and 183 × 251 × 79 mm when unfolded. A drone that’s easy to slip into a bag and take anywhere.

However, the Lito X1 can also be manually switched to C1 class, notably to remove the 120-meter height limitation applied to C0 drones.

Visually, the DJI Lito X1 adopts DJI’s new approach to obstacle detection, with modules positioned above and below the drone. Their operation is reminiscent of two opposing 360° camera lenses, enabling the drone to monitor its environment all around it. The X1 also adds LiDAR sensors to the front of the drone, integrated directly into the nose of the aircraft.

Finally, on the storage side, the DJI Lito X1 boasts 42GB of internal memory, plus a microSD port compatible with up to 1TB. A real plus for quickly recording sequences even without a memory card.

DJI Lito X1 : Transmission and radio controls

Compatible radio controls	DJI RC-N3, DJI RC 2
Video transmission system	DJI O4
Max. transmission distance	15 km (IC), 8 km (CE / SRRC / MIC)
Live preview quality	up to 1080p at 60 fps

On the transmission side, the DJI Lito X1 embeds the DJI O4 system, a technology now well known at DJI for its stability and reliability. Although the O4+ is reserved for the brand’s most advanced models, the O4 already offers excellent connection quality in the vast majority of situations.

DJI claims a maximum range of up to 15 km in IC standard and 8 km in CE. These values are mostly theoretical in practice, but above all illustrate the quality and stability of the signal, even in more complicated environments.

For video feedback, the Lito X1 offers live previews up to 1080p at 60 frames per second, with a smooth, comfortable image for piloting.

On the radio control side, the drone is compatible with the DJI RC-N3, which uses a smartphone as a screen, as well as with the DJI RC 2 and its integrated screen. These two solutions are now well known at DJI, depending on whether you prefer simplicity or more comfortable use in the field.

DJI Lito X1: Autonomy and recharging

Battery	Standard battery: 2788 mAh Plus battery: 4680 mAh
Maximum autonomy	36 minutes (standard battery) 52 minutes (Plus battery)
Typical autonomy	23 minutes (standard battery) 37 minutes (Plus battery)
Charging time (standard battery)	Direct 73 min / Station 45 min (1 battery), 87 min (3 batteries)
Charging time (Plus battery)	Direct 102 min / Station 56 min (1 battery, 130 min (3 batteries)

On the autonomy side, the DJI Lito X1 uses a standard 2590 mAh battery by default, but it is also compatible with the 4680 mAh Plus battery. DJI also offers a Fly More Plus pack that includes these longer-lasting batteries.

With the standard battery, DJI claims up to 36 minutes of maximum autonomy, compared with 52 minutes with the Plus battery. As always, these values correspond to ideal conditions and are far removed from actual use in the field.

DJI also communicates so-called “typical” autonomy values, intended to represent more realistic use with movement, video recording and obstacle avoidance activated. In this scenario, the Lito X1 achieves around 23 minutes with the standard battery, and up to 37 minutes with the Plus battery. These figures are broadly consistent with the initial feedback and tests available.

On the recharging side, it takes around 73 minutes to recharge the standard battery directly via the drone, compared with 102 minutes for the Plus battery. With the charging station, DJI claims around 45 minutes for a standard battery (or 87 minutes for three batteries), and 56 minutes for a Plus battery alone, compared with around 130 minutes for three Plus batteries.

Overall, the DJI Lito X1 remains in the middle of the class, with a real gain in endurance possible thanks to the Plus battery for those who want to give priority to long flights.

DJI Lito X1: In-flight performance

Maximum speed	18 m/s (Sport mode) 12 m/s (Normal / Tracking mode)
Max. ascent speed	7 m/s (Sport mode) 5 m/s (Normal mode) 3 m/s (Cine mode)
Max. descent speed	7 m/s (Sport mode) 5 m/s (Normal mode) 3 m/s (Cine mode)
Max. wind resistance	10.7 m/s (level 5)

Once ready for takeoff, the DJI Lito X1 is quick and intuitive to use: simply unfold the right-hand rear arm and the drone switches on automatically. A simple operation, but very practical for everyday use when you need to launch a flight quickly.

In flight, behavior remains very similar to what we’re used to from DJI. The drone can reach speeds of up to 18 m/s (approx. 65 km/h) in Sport mode and 12 m/s (approx. 43 km/h) in Normal or Track mode, with handling as fluid and stable as ever. The Lito X1 remains easy to control, whether you’re flying quietly or moving around a little faster.

Wind resistance of 10.7 m/s (approx. 38 km/h, level 5) places it in the middle of its class. Although not a drone designed to fly in extreme conditions, it remains stable enough for conventional use in most situations.

Noise levels are another pleasant surprise. The DJI Lito X1 remains rather discreet in flight, with a noise level close to that of the quietest models in the Mini range. At several dozen meters, the noise becomes quite discreet, a far cry from the higher-pitched, more pronounced sound of drones like the Neo.

DJI Lito X1 : Features

Photo modes	Single shot, Burst, Auto exposure bracketing (AEB), Interval, Panorama
Video modes	Slow motion, QuickShots, MasterShots, Hyperlapse, ActiveTrack subject tracking, Waypoint
Obstacle detection	Omnidirectional monocular optical system + LiDAR forward + infrared downward sensor

The DJI Lito X1 marks a real step upmarket for DJI’s compact, affordable drones. Not only do we find more photo and video modes than on previous entry-level Minis, but also much more advanced functions such as subject tracking, omnidirectional obstacle detection and Waypoint route planning. Features previously found mainly on higher-end models.

Photo and video modes

The DJI Lito X1 offers a particularly comprehensive range of shooting modes for this category of drone. On the photo side, there are classics like burst, interval mode, panorama and automatic exposure bracketing (AEB).

In video, the drone also embeds several of DJI’s well-known creative functions, such as QuickShots, which automatically perform small pre-programmed camera movements, MasterShots, which link several trajectories together automatically, and slow-motion mode.

The Lito X1 also adds a Waypoint function, which lets you create routes with different waypoints and associate certain actions to them, such as triggering a photo or video. A practical way to easily reproduce the same camera movements from one flight to the next.

The drone also features ActiveTrack subject tracking, which is described in greater detail below.

Subject follow-up

The DJI Lito X1 is equipped with a true subject tracking system, with several modes depending on the type of shot required. The drone can reach speeds of up to 12 m/s in tracking mode, i.e. around 43 km/h, which is more than enough for most conventional applications.

These include :

• ActiveTrack: automatically tracks a person, bike or vehicle, with the option of choosing the drone’s position around the subject during tracking.
• Point of interest: locks a subject or building to automatically rotate around it.
• Spotlight: keeps the subject in focus while the pilot maintains manual control of the drone.

According to the various tests and feedback available, tracking is generally smooth and reliable, with consistent behavior in most situations.

Obstacle detection

For obstacle detection, the DJI Lito X1 inaugurates the new approach adopted by DJI for this range. The drone uses two modules placed above and below the chassis, whose operation is reminiscent of that of two opposing lenses on a 360° camera, enabling coverage of the environment all around the drone.

The X1 also adds LiDAR sensors on the front to improve obstacle detection, particularly in dark or low-light environments. These sensors also enable the drone to improve certain automatic functions such as Return to Departure (RTH), even in situations where the GPS signal becomes limited.

As a result, the DJI Lito X1 benefits from omnidirectional obstacle detection that is particularly advanced for this category of drone. And clearly, to see this kind of technology land on such a compact and affordable drone is quite impressive.

As with DJI’s most recent models, you can choose the drone’s behavior when an obstacle is detected: automatic shutdown orbypassing the obstacle to continue on the planned trajectory.

DJI Lito X1 : Image

Aerial work platform	3-axis mechanical gondola
Sensor	1/1.3-inch CMOS
Objective	24 mm equivalent format Aperture f/1.7 FOV 82.1
Photo resolution	12 MP / 48 MP
Max. video resolution (horizontal)	4K up to 100 fps FHD up to 200 fps
Max. video resolution (vertical)	2.7K up to 60 fps
ISO range	100 à 12800
Max. bit rate	130 Mb/s
Digital zoom	Video: 1 to 3x (4K, 2.7K vertical), 1 to 4x (FHD) Photo: 1 to 3x (12/48 MP)
Photo format	JPEG / DNG (RAW)
Video format	MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, HEVC/H.265)
Color profile	Normal (8 / 10 bits), D-Log M (10 bits)

Nacelle, sensor and resolution

The DJI Lito X1 retains a 3-axis mechanical gondola, but this time uses a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, far more ambitious than that of the Lito 1. It also has an f/1.7 aperture and a focal length equivalent to 24 mm, allowing more light to enter and improving overall image quality.

For photography, the drone can capture 12 or 48 megapixel images, with support for RAW (DNG) format for those wishing to further enhance their shots.

On the video side, the Lito X1 can film in 4K at up to 100 frames per second, with the option of going up to 200 fps in Full HD for the most advanced slow-motion shots. A far more advanced configuration than DJI’s previous entry-level compact drones.

The drone also offers a 2.7K vertical mode at up to 60 fps. As with the Lito 1, however, the camera does not physically swivel vertically: the portrait format here is based on cropping within the image, and not on a dedicated rotating gondola as on some higher-end Mini models.

The Lito X1 also features a digital zoom that can go up to 3x in 4K and 2.7K vertical, and up to 4x in Full HD. As always with this type of zoom, quality gradually declines as you increase the magnification, but it’s still handy for quickly adjusting your framing without moving the drone.

Image quality

Overall, the DJI Lito X1 offers very convincing image quality for a drone in this category. The benefits of the 1/1.3-inch sensor are quickly felt, with a cleaner, better-defined image overall than on the brand’s more conventional entry-level models.

Color rendition is also fairly faithful to reality in automatic profile, with a pleasant image without over-aggressive processing. Even if the Lito X1 doesn’t fully rival DJI’s best Mini models in terms of image quality, it clearly comes closer than the Lito 1.

In low-light conditions, the drone also performs well. Noise levels remain contained, while sharpness is generally convincing for such a compact drone.

The Lito X1 also benefits from the 10-bit D-Log M color profile, a real plus for users wishing to further enhance their videos in post-production. DJI boasts a dynamic range of up to 14 f-stops after calibration, allowing more information to be recovered in both dark and bright areas of the image.

DJI Lito X1 : Packs and prices

Standard package	419 €	See on Amazon
Fly More Pack (DJI RC-N3)	579 €	See on Amazon
Fly More Pack (DJI RC 2)	679 €	See on Amazon
Fly More Plus Pack (DJI RC 2)	759 €	See on Amazon

The DJI Lito X1 starts at €419, with several packages available depending on the level of equipment required.

The standard package includes the DJI Lito X1 drone, the DJI RC-N3 radio control system, a standard battery, a nacelle protector, a pair of spare propellers and the usual cables.

The Fly More bundle with DJI RC-N3 adds several useful accessories for long flight sessions:

• two additional standard batteries (three in all),
• two additional pairs of propellers,
• a charging station,
• and a carry bag.

DJI is also offering a Fly More bundle with DJI RC 2, featuring exactly the same content, but with the DJI RC 2 remote control with integrated display, which is more comfortable and quicker to use in the field.

Finally, the Fly More Plus pack with DJI RC 2 retains the same equipment as the previous bundle, but replaces the standard batteries with three Plus batteries, offering significantly greater autonomy.

Conclusion DJI Lito X1: the best compromise in the range?

With the DJI Lito X1, DJI shows just how far compact, affordable drones have come in recent years. Where earlier entry-level models focused on simplicity and price, the X1 now includes features that until recently were found only on more advanced drones: high-performance subject tracking, omnidirectional obstacle detection, LiDAR sensors, D-Log M, Waypoint planning and DJI O4 transmission.

All this, in a drone that’s still compact, foldable and easy to transport, with less than 250 g on the scales. Clearly, the level of equipment on offer here becomes quite impressive for this product category.

The DJI Lito X1 also benefits from a real step-up in image quality, thanks to its 1/1.3-inch sensor, D-Log M profile and video capabilities that are far more advanced than on the brand’s previous compact drones.

Of course, higher-end models such as the Mini 4 Pro or Mini 5 Pro retain certain advantages, notably with their native rotating gondola for vertical video or even more advanced imaging capabilities. But it’s also logical: these models are simply not in the same price category.

Nevertheless, the DJI Lito X1 clearly manages to strike an excellent balance between compactness, ease of use, autonomy, safety and image quality. This makes it the most interesting drone in the new DJI range. Given the relatively limited price differential with the DJI Lito 1, this Lito X1 even appears to be the most relevant model for the majority of users.

Who is the DJI Lito X1 designed for?

The DJI Lito X1 is aimed above all at those who want a compact drone that’s easy to use and carry, but with a more ambitious imaging section than on the DJI Lito 1 or the brand’s earlier entry-level models.

It’s an excellent choice for beginners who already want to take advantage of better video quality, a more advanced sensor and, above all, the D-Log M profile, which offers more control over the image in post-production for those who like to retouch their videos a little more.

The drone is also well-suited to users who want a lightweight, versatile model capable of going further in the image department, without going straight to a much more expensive drone like the more advanced Mini Pros.

Should I replace a Mini 2 SE or Mini 4K with the DJI Lito X1?

For anyone still using a Mini 2 SE or Mini 4K, the evolution offered by the Lito X1 is particularly significant.

The benefits are not limited to image quality. The drone also brings more modern transmission with the DJI O4 system, omnidirectional obstacle detection, true subject tracking, more automatic modes, LiDAR sensors and advanced functions such as D-Log M and Waypoint planning.

The Lito X1 clearly gives the impression of a much more modern, safer and more versatile drone for everyday use.

On the other hand, if your use remains very occasional – a few flights from time to time and very simple shots – a Mini 4K is still capable of doing the job. So it all depends on how much you value the new functions and imaging features offered by the DJI Lito X1.

💡 Also read
➡️ Looking for a simpler, more affordable model to get started with? See also our review of the DJI Lito 1.