If you are confused about the two Lito drones that recently came out from DJI, you are definitely not alone. This article breaks down the DJI Lito X1 vs DJI Lito 1, helping you identify the key differences and figure out which drone is the right fit for you.
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How Similar Are They?
At first glance, the DJI Lito X1 and the DJI Lito 1 are very similar. When you look at them straight away, they appear almost identical from the front and from all different angles.
The most immediately noticeable difference is actually the color. There is a slightly different color to the shell of each drone, which is an interesting design decision from DJI. However, beyond that, they look nearly the same.
The one clear physical difference you will notice right away is that the X1 has a forward-facing lidar sensor at the front of the drone, while the Lito 1 does not have lidar. Both drones do feature omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, but the X1 takes it a step further with that forward-facing lidar included.
The One Thing Both Drones Share
One of the biggest similarities and selling points of the entire Lito series is that both drones weigh under 250g. Using the standard battery, both the Lito X1 and Lito 1 come in at 249g.
This is a huge benefit when it comes to traveling, especially in countries that have strict drone rules and regulations. The Lito series really comes in handy for travelers because of this weight classification. It is also worth noting that the Lito series seems positioned to replace a lot of the other mini drones currently on the market.
The Mini 5 Pro will likely stay as DJI’s pro offering, but other models like the Mini 4 Pro, Mini 4K, and Mini 3 Pro could potentially be discontinued or sunsetted over time. The Lito looks set to become the new standard mini drone offering from DJI going forward.
Camera System
This is where things start to get noticeably different between the two drones. The Lito X1 features a 1/1.3 inch CMOS sensor with a fixed aperture of F1.7. This is the same camera system found on the Mini 4 Pro, which has been widely loved and trusted by drone users. It is a great sensor and a clear improvement over what you get on the Lito 1.
The Lito 1, on the other hand, comes with a half-inch sensor and a fixed aperture of F1.8. While it is not as capable as the X1 in terms of raw sensor size and aperture, it is still more than capable of capturing great video and photos.
Video and Photo Capabilities Compared
When looking at video options, the Lito X1 offers 4K at 60 frames per second with HDR, 4K at 100 frames per second, and 2.7K vertical video. It also allows you to capture 48MP stills, which translates to an 8K photo.
The Lito 1 also shoots 4K at up to 60 frames per second and 4K at 100 frames per second, and it too supports 2.7K vertical video and 48MP stills for 8K photos. However, the Lito 1 does not have HDR. So while the two drones are similar in many respects, the HDR capability is exclusive to the X1.
Another meaningful difference is that the Lito X1 comes with 42GB of internal storage built in, while the Lito 1 has no internal storage at all. If you go with the Lito 1, you will need to use a MicroSD card for all of your footage and photos.
Flight Time and Battery Options
Both drones offer two battery options, giving users some flexibility depending on their needs. The standard battery provides 36 minutes of flight time, while the plus battery extends that to an impressive 52 minutes.
Both drones can use these batteries interchangeably. However, it is important to note that using the plus battery takes the drone over the 250g threshold, which may matter depending on where you plan to fly.
Obstacle Avoidance and Low-Light Performance
As mentioned earlier, both the Lito X1 and Lito 1 feature omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, which is a great feature to have across both models without heavy compromise.
DJI has not cut corners here on either drone. That said, the X1 benefits from its forward-facing lidar sensor, which provides improved low-light obstacle avoidance. This is a notable advantage for anyone who plans to fly in challenging lighting conditions.
Flight Features
Diving deeper into the feature differences, the Lito X1 includes waypoints functionality, which is not available on the Lito 1. If automated flight path planning matters to you, that is something you will miss out on with the standard model.
The Lito X1 also supports Dlog-M 10-bit color profile, giving videographers much greater flexibility in post-production color grading. The Lito 1 does not support HDR or Dlog-M 10-bit, but it does still shoot 10-bit footage using a normal color profile. And it is worth keeping in mind that the Lito 1 is also a slightly cheaper drone, which is part of the trade-off.
Both drones share a rated range of 15km for the Max version, depending on the model you choose, and both carry a level five wind rating, which translates to wind resistance of up to 38.52 km/h.
This is very standard from DJI at this point, and both drones handle the skies confidently. They are also both very quiet drones, which is always a nice bonus. When it comes to the actual flight experience, both drones feel nearly identical in the air.
Both drones also offer Quick Shot modes, Active Track 360, and Master Shots. Active Track 360 in particular is a fantastic tracking mode worth using. The only exclusive flight mode on one drone versus the other is waypoints, which remains an X1-only feature.
Comparison Table: DJI Lito X1 vs DJI Lito 1
| Feature | DJI Lito X1 | DJI Lito 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (Standard Battery) | 249g | 249g |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.3 inch CMOS | 1/2 inch CMOS |
| Aperture | F1.7 | F1.8 |
| HDR Video | Yes | No |
| 4K 60fps | Yes | Yes |
| 4K 100fps | Yes | Yes |
| 2.7K Vertical Video | Yes | Yes |
| Photo Resolution | 48MP (8K) | 48MP (8K) |
| Dlog-M 10-bit | Yes | No (10-bit normal profile) |
| Internal Storage | 42GB | None (microSD required) |
| Forward-Facing Lidar | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional Obstacle Avoidance | Yes | Yes |
| Waypoints | Yes | No |
| Active Track 360 | Yes | Yes |
| Quick Shots | Yes | Yes |
| Master Shots | Yes | Yes |
| Standard Battery Flight Time | 36 minutes | 36 minutes |
| Plus Battery Flight Time | 52 minutes | 52 minutes |
| Max Range | 15km | 15km |
| Wind Resistance | Level 5 (38.52 km/h) | Level 5 (38.52 km/h) |
| Positioning | Premium Model | Standard Model |
So Which Drone Should You Buy?
The core flight experience between the DJI Lito X1 and DJI Lito 1 is very similar. Flight performance, battery life, and obstacle avoidance are all comparable across both models. The meaningful upgrades on the X1 come down to the forward-facing lidar, the 42GB internal storage, HDR video, Dlog-M 10-bit color profile, and waypoints functionality.
So the X1 is clearly the more premium offering, while the Lito 1 is a solid standardized drone that still packs in some genuinely impressive features without being heavily compromised.
Ultimately, like any comparison, it comes down to your personal needs. Are you upgrading from another drone? Is this a complementary drone to one you already own? Or is it your very first drone? All of those factors play into the decision.
Read More: 10 Essential Drone Camera Settings for Beginners
