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flight_takeoff Drone Ranker
view_column 4-Drone Comparison

DJI Lito X1 vs DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro vs DJI Mini 5 Pro

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is the best drone in this group and the only one with a 1-inch sensor. Its 50 MP camera, 4K/120fps slow motion, 10-bit D-Log M, 225-degree gimbal rotation, LiDAR-assisted omnidirectional sensing and O4+ link put it a...

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Editorial winner DJI Mini 5 Pro
9.6
DJI Lito X1

DJI Lito X1

Launched at €419 aircraft only (EU, April 2026); no official US price

9.4

The value pick with LiDAR sensing, 42 GB storage and flagship-level endurance.

Best for: Non-US buyers who want most of the Mini 5 Pro feature set for less money

  • check_circleForward LiDAR plus omnidirectional vision, like the Mini 5 Pro
  • check_circle36-minute standard and 52-minute Plus flight time, tied for longest
  • check_circle42 GB internal storage, tied with the Mini 5 Pro
DJI Mini 3 Pro

DJI Mini 3 Pro

Launched at $669 (aircraft only, 2022)

9

The oldest and cheapest route to a tracking Mini.

Best for: Budget buyers on the used market who fly mostly in open, daylight conditions

  • check_circleActiveTrack 4.0 and True Vertical Shooting
  • check_circle4K/60fps at 150 Mbps
  • check_circleLowest typical price of the four
DJI Mini 4 Pro

DJI Mini 4 Pro

Launched at $759 with DJI RC-N2 (2023)

9.2

The US-friendly all-rounder with omnidirectional sensing and 10-bit color.

Best for: US buyers who want omnidirectional sensing, 10-bit color and true vertical shooting

  • check_circleOmnidirectional vision with ActiveTrack 360°
  • check_circle10-bit D-Log M and HLG with 4K/60fps HDR
  • check_circleTrue Vertical Shooting
TOP PICK
DJI Mini 5 Pro

DJI Mini 5 Pro

Region-dependent; not officially sold by DJI in the US

9.6

The flagship: the only one here with a 1-inch sensor.

Best for: Serious creators who want the best image quality and low-light performance in a Mini-class drone

  • check_circle1-inch 50 MP sensor, the largest in this comparison
  • check_circle4K/120fps slow motion and 4K/60fps HDR with 10-bit D-Log M
  • check_circleOmnidirectional sensing with forward LiDAR
Side by side

Technical Specifications

Swipe horizontally on small screens
Feature DJI Lito X1DJI Mini 3 ProDJI Mini 4 ProDJI Mini 5 Pro
Weight Approx. 249 g with standard battery; up to approx. 340 g takeoff weight with Plus battery Under 249 g with standard battery; approx. 290 g with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus Under 249 g with standard battery; heavier with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus Approx. 249.9 g with standard battery (DJI notes ±4 g batch variance); heavier with Plus battery
Dimensions 144×94×62 mm folded; 183×251×79 mm unfolded without propellers 145×90×62 mm folded; 171×245×62 mm unfolded without propellers stars 148×94×64 mm folded; 298×373×101 mm unfolded with propellers 157×95×68 mm folded; 255×181×91 mm unfolded without propellers
Volume Approx. 839 cm³ folded bounding-box volume Approx. 809 cm³ folded bounding-box volume stars Approx. 890 cm³ folded bounding-box volume Approx. 1,014 cm³ folded bounding-box volume
Max Speed 18 m/s Sport; 12 m/s Normal and tracking (manufacturer-stated) 16 m/s in Sport mode (manufacturer-stated) 16 m/s in Sport mode (manufacturer-stated) 18 m/s standard battery; 19 m/s Plus battery (manufacturer-stated) stars
Max Flight Distance 21 km standard; 32 km Plus (manufacturer-stated) 18 km standard; 25 km Plus (manufacturer-stated) 18 km standard; 25 km Plus (manufacturer-stated) 21 km standard; 32 km Plus (manufacturer-stated)
Sensor Size 1/1.3-inch CMOS 1/1.3-inch CMOS, dual native ISO 1/1.3-inch CMOS 1-inch CMOS stars
Megapixels 48 MP 48 MP 48 MP 50 MP stars
Max ISO Video: ISO 12,800 Normal; 3,200 D-Log M ISO 100-6,400 (video and photo) Video: ISO 6,400 Normal, 1,600 D-Log M/HLG, 12,800 Night mode Video: ISO 12,800 Normal; 3,200 D-Log M/HLG
Flight Time 36 minutes standard; 52 minutes Plus (manufacturer-stated) 34 minutes standard; 47 minutes Plus (manufacturer-stated) 34 minutes standard; 45 minutes Plus (manufacturer-stated) 36 minutes standard; 52 minutes Plus (manufacturer-stated)
Max Resolution 4K/60fps HDR; 4K/100fps slow motion; FHD/200fps; 2.7K vertical crop up to 60fps 4K up to 60fps; FHD/120fps slow motion; HDR video at 24/25/30fps 4K/60fps HDR; 4K/100fps slow motion; FHD/200fps 4K/60fps HDR; 4K/120fps slow motion; FHD/240fps stars
Movie Bitrate 130 Mbps 150 Mbps (H.264/H.265) 150 Mbps (H.264/H.265) stars 130 Mbps (H.264/H.265)
Field of View 82.1° 82.1° 82.1° 84° stars
Transmission Range DJI O4: 15 km (IC); 8 km CE/SRRC/MIC DJI O3: 12 km FCC; 8 km CE/SRRC/MIC DJI O4: 20 km FCC; 10 km CE/SRRC/MIC DJI O4+: 20 km FCC; 10 km CE/SRRC/MIC
Wind Resistance 10.7 m/s (Level 5) 10.7 m/s (Level 5) 10.7 m/s (Level 5) 12 m/s stars
Obstacle Avoidance Omnidirectional monocular vision with forward-facing LiDAR and downward infrared Tri-directional vision sensing: forward, backward and downward; no lateral or upward sensing Omnidirectional binocular vision plus downward 3D infrared sensor; no LiDAR Omnidirectional vision with forward-facing LiDAR and downward infrared (Nightscape sensing)
Battery Power 2788 mAh, 19.52 Wh standard; 4680 mAh, 33.51 Wh Plus 2453 mAh, 18.1 Wh standard; 3850 mAh, 28.4 Wh Plus 2590 mAh, 18.96 Wh standard; 3850 mAh, 28.4 Wh Plus (not sold in Europe) 2788 mAh, 19.52 Wh standard; 4680 mAh, 33.51 Wh Plus (not available in the EU)
Charge Time Approx. 45 min standard or 56 min Plus in charging hub with DJI 65W charger stars Standard: approx. 64 min in aircraft or 56 min in charging hub; Plus: approx. 101 min or 78 min (30W charger) Standard: approx. 70 min in aircraft or 58 min in charging hub; Plus: approx. 101 min or 78 min Standard: approx. 69 min in aircraft or 46 min in charging hub; Plus: approx. 94 min or 56 min
Internal Storage 42 GB plus microSD None; microSD card required 2 GB plus microSD 42 GB plus microSD
GPS Yes, GPS + Galileo + BeiDou Yes, GPS + Galileo + BeiDou Yes, GPS + Galileo + BeiDou Yes, GPS + Galileo + BeiDou
Obstacle Detection Yes, omnidirectional vision plus forward LiDAR Yes, forward, backward and downward Yes, omnidirectional vision sensing Yes, omnidirectional vision plus forward LiDAR
Return to Home Yes, with route-memory assistance under supported conditions Yes Yes, Advanced RTH Yes, Smart RTH with route-memory support
Removable Battery Yes Yes Yes Yes
Shoots RAW Yes, JPEG and DNG RAW Yes, JPEG and DNG RAW Yes, JPEG and DNG RAW Yes, JPEG and DNG RAW
HDR Mode Yes, 4K/60fps HDR video Yes, HDR video at 24/25/30fps and HDR photos Yes, 4K/60fps HDR video Yes, 4K/60fps HDR video
Weather Sealed No official IP rating No official IP rating No official IP rating No; DJI states it is not waterproof
Best For Non-US buyers who want most of the Mini 5 Pro feature set for less money Budget buyers on the used market who fly mostly in open, daylight conditions US buyers who want omnidirectional sensing, 10-bit color and true vertical shooting Serious creators who want the best image quality and low-light performance in a Mini-class drone
LiDAR Yes No No Yes
Vertical Shooting 2.7K crop True Vertical True Vertical 225° gimbal rotation stars
Color Profiles 10-bit D-Log M 8-bit D-Cinelike 10-bit D-Log M and HLG 10-bit D-Log M and HLG
Slow Motion 4K/100fps FHD/120fps 4K/100fps 4K/120fps stars
Plus Battery Flight Time 52 minutes 47 minutes 45 minutes 52 minutes
Launch Year 2026 stars 2022 2023 2025

DJI Lito X1

add_circlePros

  • • Forward LiDAR plus omnidirectional vision, like the Mini 5 Pro
  • • 36-minute standard and 52-minute Plus flight time, tied for longest
  • • 42 GB internal storage, tied with the Mini 5 Pro
  • • 10-bit D-Log M and 4K/60fps HDR
  • • Launched well below Mini 5 Pro pricing in Europe

remove_circleCons

  • • 1/1.3-inch sensor versus 1-inch on the Mini 5 Pro
  • • Vertical video is a 2.7K crop
  • • Shortest listed O4 range of the three newest models
  • • No official US sales

DJI Mini 3 Pro

add_circlePros

  • • ActiveTrack 4.0 and True Vertical Shooting
  • • 4K/60fps at 150 Mbps
  • • Lowest typical price of the four
  • • Proven, widely supported accessories

remove_circleCons

  • • Only forward, backward and downward obstacle sensing
  • • 8-bit color with no D-Log M
  • • Shortest flight time: 34 minutes standard
  • • O3 transmission and no internal storage

DJI Mini 4 Pro

add_circlePros

  • • Omnidirectional vision with ActiveTrack 360°
  • • 10-bit D-Log M and HLG with 4K/60fps HDR
  • • True Vertical Shooting
  • • O4 at 20 km FCC
  • • Sold in the US before the FCC Covered List update

remove_circleCons

  • • No LiDAR
  • • Only 2 GB internal storage
  • • 34-minute standard flight time
  • • Smaller sensor than the Mini 5 Pro

DJI Mini 5 Pro

add_circlePros

  • • 1-inch 50 MP sensor, the largest in this comparison
  • • 4K/120fps slow motion and 4K/60fps HDR with 10-bit D-Log M
  • • Omnidirectional sensing with forward LiDAR
  • • 225° gimbal rotation for rolling and vertical shots
  • • O4+ at 20 km FCC, 12 m/s wind resistance

remove_circleCons

  • • Most expensive of the four
  • • Not officially sold by DJI in the US
  • • Largest folded size
  • • About 249.9 g with standard battery leaves little weight margin
DroneRanker verdict

The Best DJI Mini-Class Drone for You

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is the best drone in this group and the only one with a 1-inch sensor. Its 50 MP camera, 4K/120fps slow motion, 10-bit D-Log M, 225-degree gimbal rotation, LiDAR-assisted omnidirectional sensing and O4+ link put it a tier above the others, and it matches the Lito X1 on rated endurance at 36 minutes standard and 52 minutes Plus. The DJI Lito X1 is the value winner: it shares the LiDAR sensing, 42 GB storage and flight time of the Mini 5 Pro but uses a 1/1.3-inch sensor and crops vertical video. The DJI Mini 4 Pro is the practical choice for US buyers, since neither the Mini 5 Pro nor the Lito X1 is officially sold there, and it still brings omnidirectional sensing, 10-bit color and True Vertical Shooting. The DJI Mini 3 Pro trails in sensing, color depth and endurance, so buy it only as a discounted used drone. In short: best image quality, Mini 5 Pro; best value, Lito X1; best in the US, Mini 4 Pro; lowest cost, Mini 3 Pro.

Four Drones, Four Different Best Picks

This group covers four years of DJI lightweight camera drones: the Mini 3 Pro from 2022, the Mini 4 Pro from 2023, the Mini 5 Pro from 2025 and the Lito X1 from 2026. Each one is the right answer for a different buyer, which is why a single score does not tell the whole story.

Best pick by priority

  • Best image quality: DJI Mini 5 Pro (1-inch sensor).
  • Best value: DJI Lito X1 (LiDAR, 42 GB, 52-minute Plus battery).
  • Best for US buyers: DJI Mini 4 Pro.
  • Lowest cost: DJI Mini 3 Pro, bought used.
  • Best vertical video: DJI Mini 5 Pro.

Sensor and Video

Three of these drones share a 1/1.3-inch 48 MP sensor. The Mini 5 Pro alone moves to a 1-inch 50 MP sensor, which is the single largest image-quality upgrade in the Mini-class lineup and the main reason it tops this comparison. It also adds 4K/120fps slow motion and 4K/60fps HDR. The Lito X1 and Mini 4 Pro both offer 10-bit D-Log M and 4K/100fps, while the Mini 3 Pro stays at 8-bit with D-Cinelike.

Obstacle Sensing

Sensing splits the group into three tiers. The Mini 5 Pro and Lito X1 combine omnidirectional vision with a forward LiDAR sensor, which helps in low light. The Mini 4 Pro has omnidirectional binocular vision without LiDAR. The Mini 3 Pro covers only forward, backward and downward, leaving the sides and top unprotected during orbits and tracking shots.

Battery, Storage and Range

The two newest models share the same 2788 mAh standard and 4680 mAh Plus battery ratings and are both rated for 36 and 52 minutes. The two older Minis are rated for 34 minutes standard. Storage mirrors that split: 42 GB on the Mini 5 Pro and Lito X1, 2 GB on the Mini 4 Pro and none on the Mini 3 Pro. For range, the Mini 5 Pro and Mini 4 Pro list 20 km FCC, the Lito X1 lists 15 km and the Mini 3 Pro lists 12 km FCC.

How to Choose

Start with where you live and what you shoot. If you are outside the US and shoot at golden hour, in cities at night or for paid work, buy the Mini 5 Pro. If you want long flights, LiDAR and built-in storage but can live with a 1/1.3-inch sensor, the Lito X1 gives you most of the flagship experience for less. In the US, the Mini 4 Pro is the most complete option you can buy through normal channels. The Mini 3 Pro is only worth it at a used price that reflects its older sensing and 8-bit color.

Editorial methodology

Editorial research

Context, limitations, and sources

Verified Sep 30, 2026

Mini 5 Pro is the image-quality winner (only 1-inch sensor); Lito X1 is the value pick with the same LiDAR, storage and endurance; Mini 4 Pro is the practical US choice; Mini 3 Pro only makes sense used.

Limitations

Specification-based comparison; no hands-on test. Mini 5 Pro and Lito X1 are not officially sold by DJI in the US. Lito X1 data comes from DJI launch material and retailer copies of the DJI spec sheet. Plus batteries change aircraft weight and regulatory category; the Mini 4 Pro Plus battery is not sold in Europe and the Mini 5 Pro Plus battery is not available in the EU.

Primary sources

  1. 1. drdrone.ca
  2. 2. www.dji.com
  3. 3. www.dji.com
  4. 4. www.dji.com
  5. 5. www.dji.com
  6. 6. www.prnewswire.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best DJI Mini-class drone in 2026?

The Mini 5 Pro, because it has the only 1-inch sensor in the group plus LiDAR-assisted omnidirectional sensing, 4K/120fps and O4+. The Lito X1 is the best value, and the Mini 4 Pro is the best choice for US buyers.

Lito X1 or Mini 5 Pro: what do I lose with the cheaper Lito X1?

Mainly sensor size and gimbal flexibility. The Lito X1 uses a 1/1.3-inch 48 MP sensor instead of the 1-inch 50 MP sensor, crops vertical video instead of rotating the gimbal, tops out at 4K/100fps instead of 4K/120fps and lists 15 km instead of 20 km FCC range. Flight time, LiDAR and 42 GB storage are similar.

Which drones in this comparison have LiDAR?

The Lito X1 and Mini 5 Pro both add a forward-facing LiDAR sensor to omnidirectional vision. The Mini 4 Pro has omnidirectional vision without LiDAR, and the Mini 3 Pro senses only forward, backward and downward.

Which has the longest flight time?

The Lito X1 and Mini 5 Pro are both rated for 36 minutes with standard batteries and 52 minutes with Plus batteries. The Mini 3 Pro is rated for 34 and 47 minutes and the Mini 4 Pro for 34 and 45 minutes.

Which of these drones can I buy in the US?

The Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro were sold in the US before the December 2025 FCC Covered List update. DJI did not announce official US sales for the Mini 5 Pro or Lito X1.

Should I upgrade from a Mini 4 Pro to the Mini 5 Pro?

Upgrade if low-light image quality, 4K/120fps or LiDAR-assisted sensing matter to you. The Mini 4 Pro already has omnidirectional sensing, 10-bit D-Log M and 4K/60fps HDR, so daylight shooters gain less.

Is the Mini 3 Pro still worth considering?

Only at a clear discount. It lacks side and upward sensing, 10-bit color and internal storage, and it has the shortest flight time in this group. It is still a capable daylight drone with ActiveTrack 4.0 and True Vertical Shooting.

Do all four weigh under 250 g?

All four are listed at about 249 g with standard batteries; DJI lists the Mini 5 Pro at about 249.9 g with a small batch variance. Plus batteries make each one heavier. Registration and category rules vary by country.

Which is best for vertical social media video?

The Mini 5 Pro, with 225 degrees of gimbal rotation, followed by the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro with True Vertical Shooting. The Lito X1 records vertical video as a 2.7K crop.

Which drone has the most internal storage?

The Lito X1 and Mini 5 Pro each have 42 GB. The Mini 4 Pro has 2 GB and the Mini 3 Pro has none. All four accept microSD cards.