DJI has just launched the Lito series, a new range of camera drones aimed at the beginner market. With all the usual flight and safety technology we’ve come to expect from DJI drones, plus well-equipped 4K cameras, the Lito 1 and Lito X1 are very safe entry-level models for the price.
But they are not DJI’s cheapest quadcopters. The DJI Mini 4K has been around since 2024 and has been our pick for 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 is still on sale as part of DJI’s lineup (at least for now), available for much less than the Lito X1, plus it can be purchased in the US, where the Lito models are not yet available.
So should you stick with the cheaper, slightly older drone or go for the shiny new release? Here’s how the DJI Mini 4K compares to its spiritual successor, the DJI Lito X1*, starting with the specifications 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 close in quality and price to the Mini 4K.
DJI Lito X1 vs DJI Mini 4K: Specs Comparison
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 |
DJI Mini 4K |
|
Camera sensor: |
48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor |
12MP 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, 24fps |
30, 25, 24fps |
|
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 time |
2250 mAh, up to 31 minutes of flight time |
|
Maximum horizontal speed: |
18m/s |
16m/s |
|
Maximum wind resistance: |
10.7m/s |
10.7m/s |
|
Charger type: |
USB-C/battery charging hub |
USB-C/battery charging hub |
|
Weight: |
249g/8.8oz (approx.) |
246g/8.8oz (approx.) |
|
Dimensions: |
149 x 94 x 62mm (folded) |
138 x 81 x 58mm (folded) |
1. Video and photography 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 be very useful for anyone looking to color grade and correct their images in post-production. It can also take 48MP photos.
The Mini 4K uses a much smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor, which records 4K in 8-bit quality and up to 30 fps. It’s fine in good lighting conditions, but lacks the detail, color depth and dynamic range of the Lito X1’s setup. Its maximum resolution for photographs is 12MP.
2. Storage space
The Lito X1 comes with 42GB of built-in storage and a microSD card slot, while the Mini 4K (and Lito 1) has no internal storage, just the card slot.
3. Weight and design
Both drones weigh approximately 249g, putting them in a highly desirable low restriction category in most countries. In the US, for example, you won’t need to register any of the drones 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 here between the drones. Under ideal conditions, a fully charged Mini 4K battery offers up to 31 minutes of flight time. On the Lito X1 it is 36 minutes. In real-world conditions, you’ll have a little less airtime, but I’d say both are pretty respectable.
The Lito X1 is compatible with an Intelligent Flight Battery Plus that DJI says provides up to 52 minutes of flight time. However, it will increase the weight of the drone above 249g, which in turn may restrict where it can be flown.
5. Security Features
The Lito This helps you detect and avoid hazards no matter which direction you’re traveling, and LiDAR works even in low-light conditions.
In reality, the Mini 4K can’t compare. It only uses a single downward-facing vision sensor (mostly for landing), so users need to be careful when flying: the drone won’t help them by braking or swerving around a tree, fence, or light post.
These advanced security features offered by the Lito X1 are usually found in much more expensive and heavier models. Understandably, you wouldn’t typically get an omnidirectional vision sensor on a budget entry-level model, but the irony is that it’s beginners who will arguably benefit the most from this feature.
6. Special flight modes
The Lito
The Mini 4K only offers QuickShots and return to home, making it feel pretty basic on the Intelligent Flight front.
7. Price
This is the area where the Mini 4K shines, as it starts from just £242 (with an RC-N1C remote control). The Lito X1 costs £369 (with the similar, but newer, RC-N3 controller), making it slightly more expensive than its predecessor.
However, I think the additional camera, security, and intelligent flight mode capabilities that the Lito X1 offers make it a very good value. Not only will your images and photos look sharper and richer, you’ll be much less likely to mess them up, and you can set them to automatically follow you as you bike through a forest, run along a beach, or even drive down a deserted road! The Mini 4K is still a decent beginner drone, but if your budget can stretch a little further, the Lito X1 has plenty of things that will appeal to intermediate users as well.
Contact me with any questions you have about the new DJI Lito X1 and the best drones for beginners in the comments below.
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