Head-to-head comparison

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash vs. Krea 2 Medium Turbo

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: 5
shared sample prompts: 4
latest arena retrieval: 2026-08-26

First image modelSecond image model

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 Krea 2 Medium Turbo
Attribute	MAI-Image-2.5 Flash	Krea 2 Medium Turbo
Provider	Microsoft AI	Krea
Released	June 2026	June 2026
Access	API, Web app	API, Web app
Lifecycle	Preview in Microsoft Foundry Status source	No separate lifecycle notice
Weights	Proprietary	Proprietary
Parameters	Not published	Not published
Maximum output	1,048,576 pixels	1K
Arena configuration	Flash	Medium Turbo
Text-to-image price	$20 per 1,000 images	$15 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$20 per 1,000 images	No arena entry
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

MAI-Image-2.5 FlashKrea 2 Medium Turbo

Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash$20

Krea 2 Medium Turbo$15

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

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 FlashKrea 2 Medium Turbo

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

Krea 2 Medium Turbo39.5 / 100

Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash93.8 / 100

Krea 2 Medium Turbo70.4 / 100

Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash86.4 / 100

Krea 2 Medium Turbo27.1 / 100

Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash80.3 / 100

Krea 2 Medium Turbo82.7 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for MAI-Image-2.5 Flash and Krea 2 Medium Turbo
Benchmark	MAI-Image-2.5 Flash	Krea 2 Medium Turbo
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout	Higher blind-rank score45.7 / 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	39.5 / 100 Mean rank: 17.33 (15 / 21 / 16) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.33 / 2 Layout: 1 / 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	70.4 / 100 Mean rank: 9 (11 / 10 / 6) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.33 / 2 Time: 1.33 / 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	27.1 / 100 Mean rank: 20.67 (15 / 23 / 24) Five rubric scores Scene: 1 / 2 Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2 Anatomy: 1 / 2 Props: 0.33 / 2 Environment: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic	80.3 / 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	Higher blind-rank score82.7 / 100 Mean rank: 5.67 (5 / 4 / 8) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.67 / 2 Labels: 1.67 / 2 Diagram: 1.67 / 2 Clarity: 1.67 / 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.

1 shared result series

MAI-Image-2.5 FlashKrea 2 Medium Turbo

Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash1,229 Elo

Krea 2 Medium Turbo1,215 Elo

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for MAI-Image-2.5 Flash and Krea 2 Medium Turbo
Benchmark	MAI-Image-2.5 Flash	Krea 2 Medium Turbo	Source
Text to Image Arena	No clear lead1,229 Elo Rank 15, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 5,208 ratings	1,215 Elo Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 5,388 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

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

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Character and detail

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
Krea 2 Medium Turbo. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.015000, model ID krea/krea-2-medium-turbo, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:35 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

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

Krea 2 Medium Turbo, image SHA 256: a51c5eeb5ba6b3ab8be3cb1d9c36fc196d71f4034ff7e57c695af1fe2f4ab078

Krea 2 Medium Turbo, request SHA 256: ade07c7ef44ac02cb5a2cb4dd42c6b9d04ba81253d94da661349150eebf2d9e0

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

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.

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

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

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

Krea 2 Medium Turbo, image SHA 256: 10398e0fce4a5b07b8a38a010eec70ac5457d0209ef67979feebb111d315fe16

Krea 2 Medium Turbo, request SHA 256: fb244dfb7b7f97b615eb006b449e95f11f57bf22f3ac27f310b5d4fe2edeed73

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Product photography

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.

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

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

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

Krea 2 Medium Turbo, image SHA 256: e1511de7ba316289e69ae79e51b4f75c80ee1468611f4cebcfc9d21658b19cb8

Krea 2 Medium Turbo, request SHA 256: e032f8935187c67e33e260df086fd86e8f8df38f429c898dda27e248fd4a34ca

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash, Typography and layout

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
Krea 2 Medium Turbo. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.015000, model ID krea/krea-2-medium-turbo, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:05 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

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

Krea 2 Medium Turbo, image SHA 256: 50b1b1bb7196a612240ab6088330985474c9f60ccaf640e4aa8debb0aa20e1c8

Krea 2 Medium Turbo, request SHA 256: 6fdb49271422fe678770f25b359f8a03cf0c114e06f5e9be0d1ae27ae2890d68

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

Compare MAI-Image-2.5 Flash and Krea 2 Medium Turbo with other important image models using the same benchmark and sample methodology.

View the complete image model comparison

MAI-Image-2.5 Flash vs. Krea 2 Medium Turbo

Change image model selection

General specifications and task-specific pricing

Shared capability benchmarks

Shared arena benchmarks

Sample images

Character and detail

Infographic

Product photography

Typography and layout

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

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