The unique DJI Lito X1 drone is packed full of functionality and you can't buy it in the USA

Drones are more accessible than ever before, and DJI shows no signs of slowing down in its aggressive drive to take over the beginner drone market. The DJI Neo 2 is both affordable and impressive as a selfie, camera and FPV drone, but with the new DJI Lito X1, high-end features and functionality have finally made it to a beginner model.

The Lito X1 features a 48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with video capture available up to 4K at 100 FPS and photos in JPEG and Raw format. The drone features a 5-lux omnidirectional obstacle sensing and forward-facing LiDAR for safer flights in complex environments. Obstacle sensing is a no-brainer for beginner drones, and it’s finally here.

Then there are intelligent flight modes, including ActiveTrack, QuickShots, MasterShots, Hyperlapse, and Panorama, which make it incredibly easy to capture professional-looking imagery. The subject tracking modes are great performers thanks to the omnidirectional obstacle sensing, where you can be confident that the chances of the drone crashing are greatly reduced.

The Lito X1 is priced competitively and is arguably excellent value for money, with the DJI Lito X1 Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) costing just £599; this is the bundle that features a smart controller with a built-in screen. It’s safe to say that this could be both one of the best beginner drones and possibly even one of the best camera drones available.

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DJI Lito X1: Design

• Compact folding design
• Sub-250 g model
• Two controller options

With its standard DJI folding design, build quality and light gray color, the DJI Lito X1 is a solid yet unremarkable drone from a design point of view.

That said, there’s nothing wrong with this at all, and the Lito X1 is undoubtedly an impressive performer. The drone is just 5.67 x 3.70 x 2.44 in / 144 x 94 x 62 mm folded and 7.20 x 9.88 x 3.11 in / 183 x 251 x 79 mm unfolded, with a regulator-friendly weight of 8.78 oz / 249 g.

The Lito X1 looks like most other drones in the sub-250 g class, but one standout feature is the 5-Lux Omnidirectional obstacle sensors – one on the top of the drone and the second one on the bottom.

These provide up, down, left, right, forward and backward obstacle avoidance, and despite there being just two sensors, the system performs incredibly well. There’s also forward-facing LiDAR for increased precision. The inclusion of these features is a first for a beginner drone.

With the Fly More Combos, you can opt for either the DJI RC-N3 controller, which requires a phone to be used with the DJI Fly app, or the DJI RC 2 smart controller with a built-in 5.5 in FHD touchscreen. This more advanced controller isn’t much more expensive and is significantly more convenient than the standard controller, so it’s well worth consideration.

In terms of battery life, the standard batteries are claimed to last up to 36 minutes, but during testing, flights were coming in at around 24 minutes before Return to Home was initiated when the battery reached around 16%. This is still pretty good, although the higher capacity Prlus batteries will extend flight times further to a claimed 52 minutes.

One point to make is that the Plus batteries take the weight of the drone over 250 g, so you have to be aware of this and its regulatory implications. For most people, the standard batteries offering flight times around 24 minutes will be more than sufficient and keep things simple by maintaining the X1’s sub-250 g weight.

DJI Lito X1: Functionality

• Quick takeoff
• 42GB of internal storage
• Non-GPS RTH

Despite its small size and light weight, the Lito X1 is still a fairly fast and powerful drone with a maximum speed of 40.27 mph in Sport Mode and 26.84 mph in Normal Mode and when tracking. Wind resistance comes in at a respectable 23.94 mph. There’s also Cine Mode, which reduces speed further and reduces the sensitivity of controls to help you to capture more cinematic footage.

Video transmission is solid, and there was no image breakup or stuttering during testing. The maximum range goes far beyond the legal flight distance limits, so they’re impossible to test, but with such robust transmission, you’re pretty much guaranteed a great connection within the legal range.

The X1 flies as well as you’d expect for a DJI drone, so no complaints here. Plus, ActiveTrack, QuickShots and MasterShots all perform particularly well. Subject tracking is excellent thanks to the collision avoidance system, which provides confidence with the drone flying autonomously. Other useful shooting modes include Hyperlapse and Panorama, which make capturing these types of photos and videos incredibly easy.

Another standout set of features is Quick Takeoff and Smart RTH. The former allows you to take off before stallites have been fixed, instead using vision positioning until satellites are connected.

For the latter, the Lito X1 memorizes flight routes in well-lit environments, which helps to provide a safe Return to Home without satellite connection for GPS. This is unlikely, but still useful, and the system aids RTH in all situations.

While the Lito X1 has a microSD slot for removable storage, there’s also 42GB of internal storage that can be used independently or as a backup when using a memory card.

Then there’s QuickTransfer, where files can be transferred to your smart device at up to 50 MB/s via Wi-Fi 6. You can also plug the drone into a computer when it’s switched off and connect to its storage to download photos and videos without switching the drone on.

DJI Lito X1: Performance

• 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor
• Raw & JPEG photos
• 10-Bit D-Log M

The Lito X1 is an advanced beginner drone, and despite the small sensor size, image quality is surprisingly good. It’s not on par with more expensive drones such as the DJI Mini 5 Pro, DJI Air 3S or DJI Mavic 4 Pro, unsurprisingly, but you could produce both photos and videos to a professional level with the drone.

The camera features a 48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor that can be set to shoot 12MP and 48MP photos. The lens has a full-frame equivalent focal length of 24mm, while the fixed aperture is f/1.7.

Photos can be captured in Raw and/or JPEG using Single Shot, Burst Shooting, Automatic Exposure Bracketing (AEB) or Timed shots with delays ranging from two to 60 seconds.

Like most drones, photos are sharpest in the central area of the frame with a small amount of fall-off towards the edges. Plus, as usual, results are typically better in brighter conditions.

Video quality is sharper across the frame because shooting at up to 4K uses a crop of the full sensor, and the moving image is much more forgiving.

Please note the footage below was shot in 4K, but our video player only plays in HD.

Video can be captured at up to 4K 100 FPS, 2.7K vertical up to 60 FPS and FHD up to 200 FPS. Video can be captured in the Normal color profile at 8-bit or 10-bit for straight out-of-camera footage.

if you’d like to capture more professional video that needs to be color graded, you can shoot in the 10-bit D-Log M color profile with a maximum bitrate of 130 Mbps. Log footage is generally not available with beginner drone models, so this is impressive.

DJI Lito X1: Price

The DJI Lito X1 comes in at a beginner-friendly price considering the impressive features and functionality on offer. At the time of writing, the drone is unavailable in the United States.

For UK residents, the X1 costs £369 for just the drone and a battery, which is ideal if you already own a compatible DJI controller. The DJI Lito X1 Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N3) costs £509, while the DJI Lito X1 Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) costs £599. A DJI Lito X1 Fly More Combo Plus (DJI RC 2), which includes higher capacity batteries for longer flight times, costs £669.

The Fly More combos include three batteries, a charging hub, a carry case, and accessories, along with the drone and the relevant controller. For just an extra £90, the DJI RC 2 smart controller Fly More Combo is extremely attractive and offers a much more convenient experience than the DJI RC-N3 controller.

Should you buy the DJI Lito X1?

If you’re looking for a highly capable sub-250 g drone, but one that’s less expensive than the DJI mini 5 Pro, the DJI Lito X1 is one of the most impressive beginner drones we’ve ever tested.

Flight performance is excellent, while image quality for photo and video capture certainly won’t disappoint; capture photos in Raw and JPEG, while you can capture up to 4K 100 FPS video in Standard and D-Log M color profiles.

What makes this drone stand out from the competition, besides this, is the omnidirectional obstacle sensing and forward-facing LiDAR that make flights even safer.

This is a first for beginner drones and a most welcome pair of features that set a new bar for beginner drones. If you’re on a budget but would still like a drone with professional features and functionality, the Lito X1 is a fantastic option.

If this drone isn't for you

The DJI Neo 2 is a highly affordable selfie drone featuring autonomous flight modes and subject tracking. It can also be flown as a camera drone or an FPV drone when paired with different controllers.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is the most advanced sub-250 g drone available with excellent features, functionality and image quality, making it ideal for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t need obstacle sensing, the Potensic Atom 2 is one of the best budget sub-250 g drones available. It shoots Raw and JPEG photos, alongside video up to 4K.

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