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Head-to-head comparison

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash vs. Firefly Image Model 5

Compare shared capability tests, arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Research benchmarks, preference arenas, and our n = 1 samples remain separate.

shared result series
4
shared sample prompts
4
latest arena retrieval
No data

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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 MAI-Image-2.5 Flash and Firefly Image Model 5
AttributeMAI-Image-2.5 FlashFirefly Image Model 5
ProviderMicrosoft AIAdobe
ReleasedJune 2026October 28, 2025
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
LifecyclePreview in Microsoft Foundry Status sourceGenerally available since March 19, 2026 Status source
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output1,048,576 pixels4 Megapixel
Arena configurationFlashNo arena entry
Text-to-image price$20 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Editing price$20 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

Prompt adherence and specialist tests

Shared capability benchmarks

Every matchup includes the same four Gradually sample tasks. For each task, one archived first output from every model is ranked in three differently ordered, model-blind passes. The published 0-100 value normalizes the mean rank. It must still be read as an n = 1 sample per model. No exact shared result from the integrated research benchmarks is available for this pair.

MAI-Image-2.5 FlashFirefly Image Model 5
Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash45.7 / 100
Firefly Image Model 5Higher blind-rank score75.3 / 100
Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
MAI-Image-2.5 FlashHigher blind-rank score93.8 / 100
Firefly Image Model 512.3 / 100
Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
MAI-Image-2.5 FlashHigher blind-rank score86.4 / 100
Firefly Image Model 566.7 / 100
Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
MAI-Image-2.5 FlashHigher blind-rank score80.3 / 100
Firefly Image Model 51.2 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for MAI-Image-2.5 Flash and Firefly Image Model 5
BenchmarkMAI-Image-2.5 FlashFirefly Image Model 5
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout
45.7 / 100
Mean rank: 15.67 (14 / 19 / 14)
Five rubric scores
Headline: 1.67 / 2
Subline: 1.67 / 2
Text control: 1.67 / 2
Visual brief: 1.33 / 2
Layout: 1 / 2
Higher blind-rank score75.3 / 100
Mean rank: 7.67 (10 / 5 / 8)
Five rubric scores
Headline: 1.67 / 2
Subline: 1.67 / 2
Text control: 1.67 / 2
Visual brief: 1.33 / 2
Layout: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography
Higher blind-rank score93.8 / 100
Mean rank: 2.67 (2 / 2 / 4)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1.33 / 2
Time: 1.33 / 2
Watch details: 1.33 / 2
Photography: 1.33 / 2
Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
12.3 / 100
Mean rank: 24.67 (20 / 27 / 27)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1.33 / 2
Time: 0.67 / 2
Watch details: 1.33 / 2
Photography: 1.33 / 2
Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail
Higher blind-rank score86.4 / 100
Mean rank: 4.67 (1 / 2 / 11)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1.33 / 2
Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2
Anatomy: 1.33 / 2
Props: 1.33 / 2
Environment: 1 / 2
66.7 / 100
Mean rank: 10 (6 / 17 / 7)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1.33 / 2
Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2
Anatomy: 1 / 2
Props: 0.67 / 2
Environment: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic
Higher blind-rank score80.3 / 100
Mean rank: 6.33 (7 / 7 / 5)
Five rubric scores
Title: 1.67 / 2
Sequence: 1.33 / 2
Labels: 1.67 / 2
Diagram: 1.33 / 2
Clarity: 1.67 / 2
1.2 / 100
Mean rank: 27.67 (27 / 28 / 28)
Five rubric scores
Title: 0.33 / 2
Sequence: 1.67 / 2
Labels: 0.33 / 2
Diagram: 0.67 / 2
Clarity: 0.33 / 2

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

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.

0 shared result series

No shared arena score in the stored snapshot

The stored benchmark database contains no measurement for MAI-Image-2.5 Flash and Firefly Image Model 5 from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

Visual comparison

Sample images

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

Firefly Image Model 5, Character and detail
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Character and detail
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash
Firefly Image Model 5
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.

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash. Provider Manual import, Official Bing Image Creator web app; MAI-Image-2.5-Flash; one request; 1:1; first result; free guest generation; 2026-08-14; https://www.bing.com/images/create/ai-image-generator, model ID manual export, generated Aug 14, 2026, 4:23 PM. Source
Firefly Image Model 5. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Firefly Image 5, 1:1, 1K, no reference image, no negative prompt, 10 Adobe credits, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:14 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, image SHA 256: a2637943faf5ae5210c69f645f96c70ea0a1d267c38a64705810947d2ba78dc8

Firefly Image Model 5, image SHA 256: 6a8e97db33824727599cf62339ff714cfb836a96a5f078010bb7760d7372f3d4

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

Firefly Image Model 5, Infographic
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Infographic
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash
Firefly Image Model 5
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.

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash. Provider Manual import, Official Bing Image Creator web app; MAI-Image-2.5-Flash; one request; 1:1; first result; free guest generation; 2026-08-14; https://www.bing.com/images/create/ai-image-generator, model ID manual export, generated Aug 14, 2026, 4:23 PM. Source
Firefly Image Model 5. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Firefly Image 5, 1:1, 1K, no reference image, no negative prompt, 10 Adobe credits, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:14 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, image SHA 256: 6af00e502934a24a9e535b3f72d9b1ca545a984fc463e785ffe796a700e015b3

Firefly Image Model 5, image SHA 256: 8fa6d9b40c417847061ec33d789ad5bf91f1e85da586515c6226ce6db825d1ba

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

Firefly Image Model 5, Product photography
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Product photography
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash
Firefly Image Model 5
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.

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash. Provider Manual import, Official Bing Image Creator web app; MAI-Image-2.5-Flash; one request; 1:1; first result; free guest generation; 2026-08-14; https://www.bing.com/images/create/ai-image-generator, model ID manual export, generated Aug 14, 2026, 4:23 PM. Source
Firefly Image Model 5. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Firefly Image 5, 1:1, 1K, no reference image, no negative prompt, 10 Adobe credits, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:14 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, image SHA 256: 9cb652604f7c64d8ebaa4303e924155a1f45581a940045be12775419e635bd8f

Firefly Image Model 5, image SHA 256: c36dab49ebe40473fa9e9a61b2b02fe36c4cd3536cbb6aac1d0ad0f8944d8bfc

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

Firefly Image Model 5, Typography and layout
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Typography and layout
MAI-Image-2.5 Flash
Firefly Image Model 5
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.

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash. Provider Manual import, Official Bing Image Creator web app; MAI-Image-2.5-Flash; one request; 1:1; first result; free guest generation; 2026-08-14; https://www.bing.com/images/create/ai-image-generator, model ID manual export, generated Aug 14, 2026, 4:22 PM. Source
Firefly Image Model 5. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Firefly Image 5, 1:1, 1K, no reference image, no negative prompt, 10 Adobe credits, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:14 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, image SHA 256: 185a852b71d68ea37a41091b57f3ec02829b2d1e87fd1045939ffa0f8e4c3cf8

Firefly Image Model 5, image SHA 256: cf8a921a221de5e456df2311482fc999303f5438270fb1a77c1be2dd3d9afc0b

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.

More matchups

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