GIJA MAPS

DJI Lito X1 Mapping Mission

Complete step-by-step guide to planning and flying a mapping mission with RC-N3, Android phone, or iPhone

This guide shows you exactly how to plan, generate, and fly a mapping mission with the DJI Lito X1. The guide covers the RC-N3 controller with a phone, Android phones, and iPhone. No prior experience needed.

Two separate parts: flying and optional processing

The flight planner is free and generates the KMZ mission file. Flying the mission does not require payment to us. After the flight, you can optionally upload the images for processing and receive an orthophoto, a 3D model, or both. Processing price depends on the number of images you choose to process.

Quick answer

Yes. The DJI Lito X1 can map and do photogrammetry. It has waypoint support in DJI Fly, a 48 MP camera, and interval shooting. On automated waypoint missions it captures in 12 MP at 3-second intervals, giving about 1.8 cm GSD at 50 m altitude. The only Lito model with waypoint support is the X1, not the Lito 1.

Lito X1 at a glance

Sensor
1/1.3" CMOS, 48 MP (12 MP in interval mode)
Lens
24 mm equivalent, f/1.7, 82.1° FOV
Max image size
8064×6048 (48 MP), 4032×3024 (12 MP)
Interval shooting
12 MP, 2-60 s (we recommend 3 s)
GSD at 50 m
approx 1.8 cm/px
Waypoint missions
Yes, in DJI Fly (Lito 1 does not support waypoints)
Storage
42 GB internal + microSD
Weight
approx 249 g (C0/C1, EU)

1Step 1: Create a dummy waypoint mission in DJI Fly

DJI Fly stores waypoint missions in a specific folder on your device's storage. To find the correct path and filename, you first need to create a simple dummy mission directly in the app.

Open DJI Fly. Tap the map icon in the top-left corner to enter map view, then select Waypoint mode. Draw a small square anywhere. It does not need to resemble your actual survey area. Save the mission and note the name DJI Fly assigns it, e.g. "Waypoint_20260423_143022".

Open your device's file manager and navigate to the waypoint folder to confirm the filename. If you are flying from an Android phone, use a file manager app. If you are flying from an iPhone, open the Files app and navigate to On My iPhone, DJI Fly, files, waypoint. See Step 3 for the specific paths for each device.

Internal Storage / Android / data / dji.go.v5 / files / waypoint

Here you will find the dummy mission file. Note the exact filename. If your installation uses dji.go.v2, follow the folder where DJI Fly saved the dummy mission.

2Step 2: Plan your actual survey area in the flight planner

Open the flight planner and select DJI Lito X1 as your drone. Draw the polygon for the area you want to map. Set flight altitude to 50 m (a good balance of detail and coverage for the Lito X1), frontlap to 75%, and sidelap to 70%.

The planner automatically calculates flight lines, speed, and image count. It can also show an estimate for optional post-flight processing. Click Download KMZ to save the mission file.

3Step 3: Rename and transfer the KMZ file to your device

Rename the downloaded KMZ file to exactly the same filename as the dummy mission you created in Step 1, e.g. "Waypoint_20260423_143022.kmz".

The DJI Lito X1 uses the DJI RC-N3 as standard, the controller without a screen, where your phone is the screen. File transfer therefore happens on your phone. Select your phone below:

Android Phone (with RC-N3)

Connect your phone to your computer via USB cable. Select "File Transfer" (MTP) in the notification panel on the phone. This gives unrestricted access to the file system and is the most reliable method.

Navigate in Windows Explorer or Finder (Mac) to:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/dji.go.v5/files/waypoint/

Replace the dummy file with our KMZ file. Confirm the overwrite.

Note: Older installations may use dji.go.v2. Always follow the folder where the dummy mission was saved. On Android 11 and later, Android/data may be hidden in a normal file browser.

iPhone (with RC-N3)

On iPhone, the transfer is done through the Files app. No cable to a computer is needed. Download the KMZ file directly on your iPhone from the flight planner in Safari (tap Download KMZ). The file will typically land in Downloads in the Files app.

Long-press the file, choose Rename, and give it exactly the same name as the dummy mission from Step 1. Long-press the file again, choose Copy. Then navigate to:

On My iPhone → DJI Fly → files → waypoint

Long-press in the empty folder, choose Paste. Confirm that the dummy file is replaced.

Note: Alternative with cable to Mac: Connect your iPhone via cable, open Finder, select your iPhone in the sidebar, go to the Files tab, find DJI Fly in the list, and drag the renamed KMZ file into the waypoint folder. On Windows, use iTunes instead of Finder.

DJI RC 2 (Lito X1 Fly More Combo only)

If you have the Lito X1 Fly More Combo with the DJI RC 2, the controller has a built-in screen and file manager (Settings, General, File Manager). Connect the RC 2 to your computer via USB-C and copy the renamed file to:

/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/dji.go.v5/files/waypoint/

Replace the dummy file with our KMZ file. Confirm the overwrite.

Note: Older installations may use dji.go.v2. Always follow the folder where the dummy mission was saved. The thumbnail in DJI Fly will not update. This is normal.

4Step 4: Open the mission in DJI Fly and verify the route

Open DJI Fly, select Waypoint, My Routes. Find the mission with the name you chose in Step 1. Tap it to open. You will now see the actual flight path from our planner, not the dummy route.

Verify that the route covers your area correctly before continuing.

5Step 5: Configure the camera

In the mission settings in DJI Fly, or in the camera settings before starting the mission, set the following:

Resolution
12 MP (the Lito X1 only supports 12 MP for interval shooting. 48 MP is for single shots only)
Aspect ratio
4:3, full camera frame (never 16:9)
File format
JPEG (disable RAW. Double file size, unnecessary for mapping)
Interval
3 seconds (use the timer/interval function in DJI Fly)

Important: Use the full camera frame at 4:3 for photogrammetry. 16:9 crops the top and bottom, so each image covers less ground and overlap along the flight direction may be lower. This can leave gaps in the map or make it harder for the software to match images. Before the flight, capture a test frame using the same timed/interval mode as the mission. Open the photo's Info/Details and check its pixel dimensions: Lito X1 timed 12 MP images should be 4032×3024, not 4032×2268. Do not start until the dimensions match. If they differ, correct both the resolution/capture mode and aspect ratio, capture another test frame, and check again. Never use 16:9. Using 4:3 does not guarantee survey accuracy.

Camera exposure: Set a fixed shutter speed manually and let ISO and white balance run on auto. Pick 1/1000 s, 1/2000 s or 1/4000 s depending on daylight. A fast fixed shutter is important because the drone is moving on every capture. A slow auto shutter easily causes motion blur. Aperture is fixed (f/1.7 on the Lito X1), so ISO adjusts brightness automatically. If you are unsure, use full auto, but lock the exposure with the padlock in DJI Fly so it does not shift between frames.

6Step 6: Check speed and prepare the mission

DJI Fly does not always import the recommended flight speed from the KMZ file. The route is correct, but the speed may have been reset. Check that the flight speed matches what the flight planner showed for your mission. Adjust it manually in the mission settings if needed.

Leave the mission ready, but do not start it yet. First complete the required test-frame check in Step 7.

7Step 7: Check the test frame before launch

Capture a test frame using the same timed/interval mode as the mission. Open the photo's Info/Details on the controller or phone and check its pixel dimensions.

Do not start the mission until the dimensions match: Lito X1 timed 12 MP images should be 4032×3024. If they differ, correct both the resolution/capture mode and aspect ratio to 4:3, capture another test frame, and check again.

The mission code sets the gimbal to the selected angle, normally -90° straight down. Do not set the gimbal angle manually.

8Step 8: Start the mission

Once the test-frame dimensions match, you can launch directly from the ground. As an optional tip, you can take off manually, fly to mission altitude, and position the drone over the route start point first. Then tap Start/GO in DJI Fly. The drone flies the route, and the camera captures according to the interval setting you configured. Monitor battery and signal throughout. The drone will automatically return to home (RTH) at low battery.

When the mission is complete, land and retrieve the JPEG images. Flying ends here. If you want an output, optionally drop the image folder directly in the browser for processing as an orthophoto, a 3D model, or both.

Ready to get started?

Upload your images for optional processing, or plan a new mission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why 12 MP and not 48 MP?

The DJI Lito X1 only supports 12 MP for interval (timed) shooting. 48 MP is only available for single shots. That is fine: 12 MP gives about 1.8 cm GSD at 50 m altitude, which is far above what most orthophoto projects require.

Why 3-second intervals and not 2 or 5?

At 2 seconds the drone would need to fly about 6.5 m/s at 50 m altitude to achieve the desired overlap. The Lito X1 camera has a rolling shutter, and high speed risks motion blur. At 5 seconds the mission becomes unnecessarily slow now that the files are small 12 MP images. 3 seconds is the right balance.

Why is 4:3 required for photogrammetry?

4:3 uses the full camera frame. 16:9 crops the top and bottom, so each image covers less ground and overlap along the flight direction may be lower. This can leave gaps in the map or make it harder for the software to match images. Before the flight, capture a test frame in timed/interval mode, open the photo's Info/Details, and check that timed 12 MP images are 4032×3024. Do not start until the dimensions match. If they differ, correct both the resolution/capture mode and aspect ratio to 4:3, capture another test frame, and check again. Never use 16:9. Using 4:3 does not guarantee survey accuracy.

How accurate is the DJI Lito X1 for mapping?

With proper overlap and full coverage, accuracy is driven by GSD. At 50 m altitude and 12 MP, the Lito X1 gives about 1.8 cm/px, meaning you can measure areas, lengths, and volumes with centimeter-level relative accuracy. For absolute georeferencing at survey-grade level, ground control points (GCPs) are recommended.

Do I need ground control points (GCPs)?

For relative accuracy (inventory, documentation, 3D scanning), GCPs are not required. If you need absolute georeferencing or survey-grade accuracy, GCPs or an RTK setup are recommended. Without GCPs, absolute position can be off by 1-5 m depending on GPS conditions.

What overlap should I use?

For orthophotos and measurement we recommend 75% front overlap and 70% side overlap, which is the standard in our flight planner. For optimal 3D reconstruction (buildings, objects), each point should be visible in at least five photos, which corresponds to about 80% overlap.

Can I use the DJI Lito 1 instead?

No. The DJI Lito 1 does not support waypoint missions. Only the Lito X1 can fly automated mapping missions through DJI Fly. If you need automated mapping, you need the Lito X1.

Can I fly with the standard RC-N3 and a phone?

Yes. That is the standard setup for the Lito X1. The process for Android and iPhone is identical to the guide above: you plan in our planner, download the KMZ, and move it to the DJI Fly waypoint folder on your phone.

What happens if the drone loses signal during an automated mission?

If the drone loses signal during an automated mission, the mission is aborted and the drone will automatically return to home (RTH). It is always recommended to maintain visual line of sight.

DJI Lito X1 Mapping Guide: How to Fly a Mapping Mission | GIJA MAPS