Breakthrough Photography
Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density
$139Cheaper
Released 2017
Best Nd Filters · head-to-head
Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density vs NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density is cheaper at $139. Every spec and price links to its source.
NiSi
NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop)
$245
Released 2023
Which is better: the Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density or NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop)?
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 NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop) 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 | 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 |
Sources — Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density: breakthrough.photography (verified 2026-08-16). NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop): nisiopticsusa.com (verified 2026-08-16).
What's the difference between the Breakthrough Photography X4 Neutral Density and NiSi SWIFT True Color ND-VARIO Pro Nano (1-5 Stop)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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