DJI has just launched the Lito series, a new line of camera drones aimed at the beginner market. With all the usual safety and flight technology we’ve come to expect from DJI drones, plus well-equipped 4K cameras, the Lito 1 and Lito X1 are very assured entry-level models for the price.
But these aren’t DJI’s cheapest quadcopters. The DJI Mini 4K has been around since 2024 and has been our pick for the best camera drone for beginners so far (while the Neo 2 is even cheaper, but it’s a selfie type of drone with propeller guards). The Mini 4K remains on sale in the DJI lineup (at least for now), available at a significantly lower price than the Lito X1, and can also be picked up in the US, where Lito models are not yet available.
So should you stick with the cheaper, slightly older drone or go for the shiny new version? Here’s how the DJI Mini 4K compares to its spiritual successor, the DJI Lito X1*, starting with specs and then moving on to seven key differences.
*I tested the more expensive Lito X1, which is my top pick of the two new Lito models. The cheaper Lito 1 is closer in quality and price to the Mini 4K.
DJI Lito X1 vs DJI Mini 4K: Specs Compared
If you want a little more data on how the two drones compare, check out the spec comparison table below.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
DJI Lito X1 |
DJIMini 4K |
|
Camera sensor: |
48 MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor |
12 MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor |
|
Camera lens: |
Field of view 82.1º, f/1.7 |
Field of view 83º, f/2.8 |
|
ISO range: |
100-12800 |
100-3200 |
|
Video resolution: |
4K |
4K |
|
Frame rates: |
60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24 fps |
30, 25, 24 fps |
|
Flight modes: |
Cinema, Normal, Sport |
Cinema, Normal, Sport |
|
Storage: |
42 GB internal, microSD card slot |
microSD card slot |
|
Battery: |
2590 mAh, up to 36 minutes of flight |
2250 mAh, up to 31 minutes of flight |
|
Maximum horizontal speed: |
18 m/s |
16 m/s |
|
Maximum wind resistance: |
10.7 m/s |
10.7 m/s |
|
Charger type: |
USB-C / Battery Charging Hub |
USB-C / Battery Charging Hub |
|
Weight: |
249 g / 8.8 oz (approximately) |
246 g / 8.8 oz (approximately) |
|
Dimensions: |
149 x 94 x 62 mm (folded) |
138 x 81 x 58 mm (folded) |
1. Video and photo quality
Both drones record 4K video, but the Lito X1 records a much better variety. Its 1/1.3-inch sensor can capture images at up to 4K resolution and 60 fps, and supports a 10-bit D-log M color profile – features that will prove very useful for anyone happy to color grade and correct their images in post-production. It can also take 48 MP photos.
The Mini 4K uses a much smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor, recording 4K at 8-bit quality and up to 30fps. It’s fine in good lighting conditions, but it lacks the detail, color depth, and dynamic range of the Lito X1’s setup. Its maximum resolution for photos is 12MP.
2. Storage space
The Lito
3. Weight and design
Both drones weigh around 249g, putting them in a highly sought-after, low-restriction category in most countries. In the US, for example, you won’t need to register either drone before flying (assuming the Lito
Design-wise, both drones use a familiar foldable quadcopter shape that’s easy to store and transport.
4. Battery life
There’s not much daylight between the drones here. Under ideal conditions, a fully charged battery on the Mini 4K provides up to 31 minutes of flight time. On the Lito X1, it’s 36 minutes. In real-world conditions, you’ll spend a little less time in the air, but I’d rate both as pretty respectable.
The Lito X1 is compatible with an Intelligent Flight Battery Plus which DJI says provides up to 52 minutes of flight time. This will, however, increase the weight of the drone above 249g, which in turn could restrict where it can fly.
5. Safety Features
The Lito This helps it spot and avoid hazards no matter which direction it moves, and LiDAR works even in low light conditions.
The Mini 4K really can’t be compared. It only uses a single downward-facing vision sensor (mainly for landing), so users should be careful when flying: the drone won’t help them by braking or swerving around a tree, fence, or lamp post.
These advanced safety features offered by the Lito X1 are typically found in much more expensive and heavier models. It’s understandable that you don’t typically get an omnidirectional vision sensor in a cheap entry-level model, but the irony is that it’s arguably beginners who will benefit the most from this feature.
6. Special flight modes
The Lito one-button house.
The Mini 4K only offers QuickShots and Return to Home, making it rather simple on the smart flight front.
7. Price
Here’s the one area where the Mini 4K shines, as it starts from just £242 (with an RC-N1C remote). The Lito X1 costs £369 (along with the similar but newer RC-N3 controller), making it a bit more expensive than its predecessor.
However, I think the additional camera, security and intelligent flight mode capabilities offered by the Lito X1 make it very good value for money. Not only will your footage and photos look sharper and richer, but you’re also much less likely to crash them – and you can set it to automatically follow you as you ride your bike through a forest, run along a beach, or even drive down a desert highway! The Mini 4K is still a good beginner’s drone, but if your budget can stretch a little further, the Lito X1 has plenty that will appeal to intermediate users as well.
Ask me any questions you have about the new DJI Lito X1 and the best drones for beginners in the comments below.
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