If you thought the tiny, buzzy, and cheap-as-hell DJI Neo and Neo 2 were annoying, get ready for DJI’s Lito 1 and Lito X1. It’s larger than the Neo, looks more like a DJI Mini, and still shoots in 4K at 60 fps while packing in all the extra obstacle avoidance and tracking capabilities. As with all new DJI products, because of current U.S. policies, you can’t easily buy it.
The “Lito” in the name offers a clear picture of this drone’s whole deal. It promises a beginner-friendly means to capture aerial footage with its gimbal-based 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor. It can take 48-megapixel still images or record video in 4K at up to 60 fps. Both drones have an f/1.8 aperture, but only the Lito X1 can shoot HDR footage with 10-bit D-Log M color grading for more realistic final footage.
You can get a vague idea of the Lito’s price by comparing its European pricing. The Lito 1 costs 339 euros, or about $396. The Lito X1 starts at 419 euros, or about $490. Both drones include omnidirectional 5-lux obstacle sensing to keep them from crashing into trees or your neighbor’s house. The Lito X1 has an extra forward-facing LiDAR for even more spatial awareness during flights and 42GB of built-in storage (should you ever forget your SD card).
You can fly using the ActiveTrack mode to follow you and record your sports-related antics. Otherwise, you can navigate the Lito with a controller like the DJI RC 2 or phone-based RC-N3. DJI promises you’ll get around 36 minutes of flight time with a standard battery. Surprisingly, for an entry-level drone, the Lito can withstand wind speeds up to 10.7 m/s, or around 24 mph. It should remain relatively stable, except if you take it out into a storm, which is not advised.
Prior to the Lito, DJI’s cheapest options were the compact $260 Neo 2 and its $440 DJI Flip with its four propeller cages that folded up underneath. The Lito 1 and Lito X1 are more traditional with arms that fold up into the body. In that way, it may be more appealing.
The company’s current Mini 5 Pro is still one of the best all-around lightweight drones you can get today. Otherwise, the DJI Avata 360 would be an option if you want to capture 360-degree footage from high in the sky. It’s cheaper than the similar Antigravity A1 spun out of camera competitor Insta360.
The only issue with all these drones is you can’t easily buy them, at least not directly from DJI. Over email, DJI told Gizmodo, “The DJI Lito series will not be available in the U.S. market as the application for authorization is still pending.”
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has effectively cut off the China-based dronemaker from any new licenses for new UAVs. Even its camera products like the Osmo Pocket 4 are effectively banned. Any product that received clearance prior to the FCC’s blanket DJI ban will be available. Some of the company’s recent products, like the Osmo 360 and the Neo 2, still end up on third-party retail websites like Amazon.
It’s a confusing time for any potential drone buyer. You may still be able to get your hands on the new Lito 1 and X1 drones by shipping them in from Europe. Other than Antigravity, there is basically no other consumer-facing drone maker offering prices and capabilities anywhere near DJI. Until that changes, U.S. buyers are screwed seven ways to Sunday.
