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nano banana vs gpt image · updated october 2026

Nano Banana vs GPT Image 2.5 (October 2026)

Google's Nano Banana 2.1 and Pro against OpenAI's GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst and Flare

Google's Nano Banana and OpenAI's GPT Image are the two image models people reach for when they want to describe a picture in plain language and get it right. Both make and edit images. Nano Banana is especially good at changing an existing photo while keeping everything else intact; GPT Image is especially good at following a long, specific brief. On LazySusan, Nano Banana comes as 2.1, Pro and 2; GPT Image as 2.5 Sunburst and 2.5 Flare.

at a glance

Nano Banana and GPT Image side by side
AttributeNano BananaGPT Image
MakerGoogleOpenAI
Versions on LazySusanNano Banana 2.1, Nano Banana Pro, Nano Banana 2GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, GPT Image 2.5 Flare
Best atConversational photo edits, quick high-res imagesDetailed briefs, text in images
Sizes1K, 2K, 4K1024×1024, 1536×1024, 1024×1536
Masked editingDescribe the changeDescribe it or paint the area
Everyday image41 tokens (2.1, 1K)64 tokens (medium, square)
Top quality161 tokens (Pro, 1K), 288 tokens at 4K254 tokens (high, square)
In the LazySusan APIYes, 2.1 and ProYes, 2.5 and 2.5 Fast

edge by area

Summary of where each option has the edge
AreaEdge
Editing an existing photoNano Banana
Following a detailed briefGPT Image
Text in imagesGPT Image
ResolutionNano Banana
Cost per imageNano Banana

Editing an existing photo

Ask Nano Banana to change the jacket, remove the person in the background or move the scene to dusk, and it usually leaves the rest of the photo untouched. GPT Image edits well too, and lets you paint the area to change, but Nano Banana is the more natural conversational editor.

edge: Nano Banana

Following a detailed brief

GPT Image is very good at doing exactly what a long prompt says: five objects in a particular arrangement, a specific label, a set colour palette. Nano Banana follows briefs well but takes more liberties with complex layouts.

edge: GPT Image

Text in images

Both render short text well. GPT Image is the more dependable for longer text such as menus, posters and diagrams. For type-led design, Ideogram is also worth a look.

edge: GPT Image

Resolution

Nano Banana offers 1K, 2K and 4K output. GPT Image makes square, landscape and portrait images at around 1–1.5 megapixels.

edge: Nano Banana

Cost per image

A 1K Nano Banana 2.1 image is 41 tokens, 2K 61 tokens and 4K 136 tokens; Nano Banana Pro is 161 tokens at 1K. A square GPT Image 2.5 image is 8 tokens at low quality, 64 tokens at medium and 254 tokens at high.

edge: Nano Banana

which to pick

Pick Nano Banana or GPT Image

Pick Nano Banana if…

  • you're editing photos you already have
  • you want 2K or 4K output
  • you make a lot of images and cost per image matters
  • you work iteratively: change one thing, then the next

Pick GPT Image if…

  • your prompt is long and every detail matters
  • the image includes a paragraph of text, a menu or labels
  • you want to paint the exact area to change
  • you need a precise layout rather than a nice interpretation

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Questions

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