DJI’s New Lito Drones Give First-Time Flyers Real Camera Power and Built-In Safety Nets

DJI has just released not one, but two new camera drones that will be particularly appealing to users who are new to quadcopter flying. The Lito 1 and Lito X1 are two new additions to the company’s beginning drone inventory, succeeding the Neo models that many new users have been flying in recent years. These are still light enough (249 grams) to fly without registration in most areas, and they have undergone some significant improvements in terms of video quality and crash protection.

One of the things that really makes these drones easy to recommend right off the bat is that they share a lot of strengths. For starters, each can fly for up to 36 minutes on normal batteries and can withstand wind speeds of up to 10.7 meters per second without issue. Furthermore, sensors throughout the body detect and avoid impediments like as trees, walls, and cliffs without requiring you to be continually on the ball. There’s also a tracking capability that can follow people or objects at up to 12 meters per second, keeping runners or bikers in frame even while the drone is moving quickly, which is extremely useful for anyone who enjoys filming on the go. Then there are file transfers over Wi-Fi 6, which can reach up to 50 megabytes per second, and automatic modes that make it simple to capture great shots, like panoramas, hyperlapses, and seamless follow shots with a single press.

The Lito 1 is a no-frills option that delivers reliable performance while remaining reasonably priced. Its camera has a 1/2-inch sensor and a fast f/1.8 lens, allowing it to shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second or slow-motion films at 100 frames per second if you want to get creative. In stills mode, it can achieve 8K resolution if necessary. The pilots have access to the same full-360 sensors as the more expensive model, as well as the same tracking and flight time, and storage is via microSD card. The drone also works with the basic RC-N3 controller, which uses your phone’s screen.

When you upgrade to the Lito X1, you’ll see where the extra money goes, and it goes to the places that matter most for image quality and tough flying conditions. The camera features a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor with 48 effective megapixels and an f/1.7 aperture, as well as HDR recording with up to 14 stops of range and 10-bit color depth, allowing it to handle both bright and dark areas in the same photo. It has the same 4K and slow-motion options as the Lito 1, but the footage allows for additional editing versatility. The forward-facing lidar elevates the obstacle system, particularly in low-light or congested environments, and the drone includes 42GB of built-in storage in addition to a microSD card slot, reducing the need to swap cards in the middle of a shoot.

Control remains simple with both models, as you simply take the RC-N3 remote out of the box and clip it onto a smartphone. If you want a screen built into the controller, the Fly More bundles offer that option; just be prepared to pay a little more. In normal mode, the top speed is roughly 27mph, but when the pilot gives it some gas, it speeds to a rather quick 40mph. Folding arms and no heavy permanent guards make the drones nice and compact; throw them in a backpack and take them for a hike or campus stroll if you want.

Prices are quite reasonable for enthusiasts wishing to get their feet wet, with the Lito 1 starting at 339 euros, or around $397 US, and the Lito X1 starting at 419 euros, or about $490 US. If you choose any of the Fly More Combos, you get extra batteries, a case, and more; the Lito 1 costs 479 euros and the X1 costs 579 euros, with the higher bundle including the better screen-equipped RC 2 controller. You can place orders now through DJI’s shop or from authorized retailers in Europe and internationally; but, keep in mind that these drones may never officially reach the US market due to the new FCC restrictions.
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