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Head-to-head comparison

GPT Image 2 vs. Nano Banana Pro

Compare arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Text-to-image generation and image editing are never blended into an artificial overall score.

12

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

2026-08-16

latest arena retrieval

Change image model selection

Specifications and cost

General specifications and task-specific pricing

A model can have one price for generating new images and another for editing. Prices therefore remain tied to the corresponding arena configuration.

Specifications and pricing for GPT Image 2 and Nano Banana Pro
AttributeGPT Image 2Nano Banana Pro
ProviderOpenAIGoogle
ReleasedApril 2026November 2025
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output4K4K
Arena configurationHighGemini 3 Pro Image
Text-to-image price$211 per 1,000 images$134 per 1,000 images
Editing price$211 per 1,000 images$134 per 1,000 images
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
GPT Image 2Nano Banana Pro
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
GPT Image 2$211
Nano Banana Pro$134Lower price
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
GPT Image 2$211
Nano Banana Pro$134Lower price

Independent preference tests

Shared arena benchmarks

Artificial Analysis and Arena derive scores from blind comparisons. Raters see outputs for the same prompt and choose the image they prefer. Separate series cover text rendering, photorealism, portraits, art, commercial design, and image editing. Confidence intervals indicate how certain a measured lead is.

12 shared result series
GPT Image 2Nano Banana Pro
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,370 EloHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,299 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,258 EloHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,244 Elo
Arena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,360.375 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,230.042 arena points
Arena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,370.438 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,224.748 arena points
Arena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,396.031 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,240.574 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,389.556 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,245.099 arena points
Arena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,380.469 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,245.593 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,378.291 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,260.121 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,428.866 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,258.035 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,424.046 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,269.198 arena points
Arena Image Editing: Multi-image editingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,454.125 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,363.811 arena points
Arena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,462.727 arena pointsHigher arena score
Nano Banana Pro1,389.053 arena points
Arena benchmark scores for GPT Image 2 and Nano Banana Pro
BenchmarkGPT Image 2Nano Banana ProSource
Text to Image Arena
1,370 EloHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 13,336 ratings
1,299 Elo
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 13,340 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena
1,258 EloHigher arena score
Rank 2, 95% confidence interval: ±6, 18,142 ratings
1,244 Elo
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 10,868 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling
1,360.375 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±9.77, 6,635 ratings
1,230.042 arena points
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±7.01, 13,757 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Art
1,370.438 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8.48, 8,762 ratings
1,224.748 arena points
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±6.22, 19,671 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon
1,396.031 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.88, 28,210 ratings
1,240.574 arena points
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±4.92, 56,045 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design
1,389.556 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.61, 27,138 ratings
1,245.099 arena points
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±4.81, 50,186 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Overall
1,380.469 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±4.62, 69,194 ratings
1,245.593 arena points
Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±3.37, 138,756 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Photorealism
1,378.291 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.62, 26,719 ratings
1,260.121 arena points
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±4.77, 59,290 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Portraits
1,428.866 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8.77, 13,521 ratings
1,258.035 arena points
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±5.76, 31,463 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering
1,424.046 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±7.09, 26,226 ratings
1,269.198 arena points
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±5.14, 46,529 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Image Editing: Multi-image editing
1,454.125 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±4.67, 72,134 ratings
1,363.811 arena points
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±3.91, 189,338 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Image Editing: Overall
1,462.727 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±3.94, 184,189 ratings
1,389.053 arena points
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±2.99, 501,853 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16

Visual comparison

Sample images from documented runs

Our images complement preference data, but do not replace it. The prompt, request count, and selection rule match. Provider resolution, quality tier, randomness, and prompt processing remain visible limitations, so this is not a fully controlled laboratory test.

Largely standardized comparison protocol. Both models receive the same archived prompt, exactly one request, and the first result counts. Files are normalized to 1,024 × 1,024 pixels without cropping. Provider resolution, randomness, quality tier, and prompt processing can still differ. These images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.

Character and detail

Anatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency

GPT Image 2, Character and detail
GPT Image 2
Nano Banana Pro, Character and detail
Nano Banana Pro
Prompt and settings

Create a square cinematic full-body portrait of a fictional bicycle courier waiting under a transparent umbrella at a rainy tram stop in Hamburg at blue hour. She wears a mustard raincoat, navy trousers, red sneakers, a silver helmet, and carries a teal messenger bag. Keep both hands visible, render the bicycle correctly, use realistic wet-street reflections, and include no readable brand names.

GPT Image 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:13 PM. Source
Nano Banana Pro. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/gemini-3-pro-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:20 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 82f6e2369ab4fb6efb0ef48feeff0d14f1d6087c64c35113a983456f0f0879ac

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: db4ca97dc43effd578430b77f8ca559c7dd5cbe60e663ba9ecc2e89a33480b0d

Nano Banana Pro, image SHA 256: eed53dcc080d2710e6e890382f6273382a12e2c5b079b8813962bff0c92b5df7

Nano Banana Pro, request SHA 256: 12c91e972a7256b1386b22420c0c84e30b85ac6e07830eea944755e5bd9742fc

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

GPT Image 2, Infographic
GPT Image 2
Nano Banana Pro, Infographic
Nano Banana Pro
Prompt and settings

Create a square German infographic titled SO FUNKTIONIERT PHOTOSYNTHESE. Show exactly four numbered steps in this order: 1 LICHT, 2 WASSER, 3 CO₂, 4 ZUCKER + SAUERSTOFF. Use a clean editorial science style with one plant cross-section, simple arrows, high contrast, legible labels, and no other text.

GPT Image 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:14 PM. Source
Nano Banana Pro. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/gemini-3-pro-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:20 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 6c15466e258e2b14a8e862959cb6a67b4f7a23896ea5d42c5a5618d848847711

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: ed741d3d120188b9286d3576e7dcd3ace9dd7792978d4d5426022f32ed7ca381

Nano Banana Pro, image SHA 256: 4ff7d3965d18e197f00647c35d6aed5a86a376c92779ee9e748c598aebafa51d

Nano Banana Pro, request SHA 256: a69a5193f107aac4f7532f021fc4306c0907470f40f984d0b263728e292d8f1b

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

GPT Image 2, Product photography
GPT Image 2
Nano Banana Pro, Product photography
Nano Banana Pro
Prompt and settings

Create a square premium product photograph of a brushed titanium wristwatch standing upright on dark green marble. The watch has a cream dial, thin black hands set to 10:10, twelve distinct hour markers, a realistic crown, and a dark brown leather strap. Soft window light from the left, controlled reflections, shallow depth of field, no text, no logo, no extra objects.

GPT Image 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:13 PM. Source
Nano Banana Pro. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/gemini-3-pro-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:19 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 471c71b30618afb1a8a67ab8363308d67f99c65ef6740ca72417806d06d3c346

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: 7b27ff2c9b64529a36bebf2d572c3448f26e68f3e9d1ac6a3f2b5ead8698f60f

Nano Banana Pro, image SHA 256: d50770f426cac7920c9ffdaf210db2f11cdc51a8cf0b7ef52e6cd26850b1de70

Nano Banana Pro, request SHA 256: 92d73f9638fa47ea30f0ceefdeb5eb2ca7d4a018b4b4835463bd0ea29d0495cf

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

GPT Image 2, Typography and layout
GPT Image 2
Nano Banana Pro, Typography and layout
Nano Banana Pro
Prompt and settings

Create a square editorial poster for an imaginary night train called MONDFALTER. Show the exact German headline MONDFALTER and the exact subline BERLIN NACH LISSABON. Use a restrained midnight-blue and warm-cream palette, one stylized moth, strong Swiss-grid typography, generous negative space, and no additional words or logos.

GPT Image 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:59 PM. Source
Nano Banana Pro. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/gemini-3-pro-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:00 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 434cf9939b9be2a2c2711e13d027c9438c47038bb32229ceeaf405d2e89d2afc

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: 473a774dfe9f9b7bb597e9e8b63af4e770b6bc4e7f8bc90682636db3516e7353

Nano Banana Pro, image SHA 256: fc173de00b0df04772321167cfeabb55418d3d016081e7ebfb589c69a629b712

Nano Banana Pro, request SHA 256: d686c572b086aa9f5d019886e8182c8f41c5d35bfb43bc6b6937feccba8a73eb

How to read this comparison

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

A higher arena score means this specific configuration was preferred more often in blind comparisons.

Typography, character consistency, local execution, licensing, and price may matter more to your workload than overall visual appeal.

Prices cover 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels using settings documented by Artificial Analysis. Subscriptions and special rates are excluded.