# Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density vs NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density (Breakthrough Photography) and NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) (NiSi) among nd filters. Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density is the cheaper of the two at $139.

## Side by side

| Spec | Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density | NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $139 | $245 |
| Brand | Breakthrough Photography | NiSi |
| Released | 2017 | 2023 |
| Filter type | fixed | variable |
| Density range stops | 3, 6, 10, or 15 (separate fixed-density SKUs) | 1 to 5 (ND2-ND32) |
| Common thread sizes (mm) | 39-112, plus 100mm/150mm square | 40.5-105 |
| Coating | MRC16 (16-layer Multi-Resistant Coating) + Nanotec nano coating | NiSi Nano Coating (waterproof, anti-reflective, smudge-proof) |
| Color cast note | Manufacturer states spectrally flat transmission targeting color-neutral results | Marketed as "True Color" - engineered to avoid the blue/magenta color shift typical of variable ND filters |
| Front filter thread | Yes | Yes |
| Magnetic | No | No |
| Glass type | SCHOTT B270 optical glass | high-definition optical glass |

## Key differences

- Filter type: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density fixed vs NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) variable
- Density range stops: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density 3, 6, 10, or 15 (separate fixed-density SKUs) vs NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) 1 to 5 (ND2-ND32)
- Common thread sizes (mm): Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density 39-112, plus 100mm/150mm square vs NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) 40.5-105
- Coating: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density MRC16 (16-layer Multi-Resistant Coating) + Nanotec nano coating vs NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) NiSi Nano Coating (waterproof, anti-reflective, smudge-proof)
- Color cast note: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density Manufacturer states spectrally flat transmission targeting color-neutral results vs NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) Marketed as "True Color" - engineered to avoid the blue/magenta color shift typical of variable ND filters
- Glass type: Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density SCHOTT B270 optical glass vs NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) high-definition optical glass

## Sources

- Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density: https://breakthrough.photography/products/x4-neutral-density (breakthrough.photography, verified 2026-08-16)
- NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop): https://nisiopticsusa.com/product/nisi-82mm-true-color-nd-vario-pro-nano-1-5stops-variable-nd/ (nisiopticsusa.com, verified 2026-08-16)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/nd-filters/breakthrough-photography-x4-nd-vs-nisi-true-color-nd-vario-pro-nano/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density ($139) vs NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) ($245) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/nd-filters/breakthrough-photography-x4-nd-vs-nisi-true-color-nd-vario-pro-nano/
License: CC BY 4.0.