Breakthrough Photography
Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density
$139Cheaper
Released 2017
Best Nd Filters · head-to-head
Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density is cheaper at $139. Every spec and price links to its source.
Freewell
Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9)
$499.99
Released 2024
Which is better: the Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density or Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9)?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density is the cheaper at $139.
See Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density on Amazon See Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) on Amazon
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density | Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $139 | $499.99 |
| Brand | Breakthrough Photography | Freewell |
| Released | 2017 | 2024 |
| Filter type | fixed | variable |
| Density range stops | 3, 6, 10, or 15 (separate fixed-density SKUs) | 1 to 9 (two filters: 1-5 and 6-9, hybrid reversible with CPL/ND32-CPL) |
| Common thread sizes (mm) | 39-112, plus 100mm/150mm square | 67, 72, 77, 82 (via included adapter rings) |
| Coating | MRC16 (16-layer Multi-Resistant Coating) + Nanotec nano coating | multi-coated German optics (dust/oil/scratch/water resistant) |
| Color cast note | Manufacturer states spectrally flat transmission targeting color-neutral results | Freewell markets a proprietary 'TRUE COLOR' coating process specifically to minimize the color shift common to other VNDs |
| Front filter thread | Yes | — |
| Magnetic | No | Yes |
| Glass type | SCHOTT B270 optical glass | optical glass (German optics, brand does not publish substrate name) |
Sources — Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density: breakthrough.photography (verified 2026-08-16). Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9): freewellgear.com (verified 2026-08-16).
What's the difference between the Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density and Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Filter type: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density fixed vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) variable
- Density range stops: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density 3, 6, 10, or 15 (separate fixed-density SKUs) vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) 1 to 9 (two filters: 1-5 and 6-9, hybrid reversible with CPL/ND32-CPL)
- Common thread sizes (mm): Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density 39-112, plus 100mm/150mm square vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) 67, 72, 77, 82 (via included adapter rings)
- Coating: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density MRC16 (16-layer Multi-Resistant Coating) + Nanotec nano coating vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) multi-coated German optics (dust/oil/scratch/water resistant)
- Color cast note: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density Manufacturer states spectrally flat transmission targeting color-neutral results vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) Freewell markets a proprietary 'TRUE COLOR' coating process specifically to minimize the color shift common to other VNDs
- Magnetic: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density false vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) true
- Glass type: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density SCHOTT B270 optical glass vs Freewell K2 Versatile Magnetic Filter System (VND1-5 / VND6-9) optical glass (German optics, brand does not publish substrate name)