| Prompt shape | A plain-language brief. OpenAI's help page: "Be specific about the details that matter"; for a poster, "describe what it's for and any text you want it to include." Images 2.5 is pitched as better at complex visual instructions and at editing only what you asked for. | A described scene. Google's docs: "Be hyper-specific," "Provide context and intent," "Control the camera" with photographic and cinematic terms, and break complex scenes into step-by-step instructions. Its template: "A photorealistic [type of shot] of a [subject] in a [setting]. [Light]. Shot from a [camera angle] with a [lens type]." | Short and concrete. The docs: "Short and simple prompts typically generate the best images" and "Avoid making long lists or detailed instructions." Use specific numbers ("three cats", not "cats") and specific synonyms. Parameters go at the end, after a space, with no punctuation. |
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| Current model | ChatGPT Images 2.5 on every tier (Sept 8, 2026). API: gpt-image-2.5-flare (fast, default) and gpt-image-2.5-sunburst (editing precision), $8/M image input, $30/M image output. | Nano Banana 2.1 (gemini-nano-banana-2.1) is the recommended workhorse on the API; Nano Banana Pro is the premium model. The Gemini app help page still lists Nano Banana 2 as its default and Pro for paid plans. | V8.2 is the default since July 24, 2026 (HD 2048×2048, SD 1024×1024). Its Edit Model replaces Omni and Character Reference. V8.0 alpha is gone; Niji 7 is the anime line. |
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| Aspect ratio | Say it in the prompt or use the picker (help page: "include your desired aspect ratio in your prompt"). API sizes: 1024×1024, 1536×1024, 1024×1536, or custom up to 3840px with a ratio between 1:3 and 3:1. | On the API it is a setting (aspect_ratio, with image_size 1K/2K/4K); Google's own template prompts end with the ratio in words. Defaults to square, or to the size of your input image. Fourteen ratios from 1:8 to 8:1. | --ar W:H at the end, whole numbers only ("139:100 instead of 1.39:1"). Default 1:1; up to 14:1 on V8.2 (4:1 for HD), with extreme ratios marked experimental. |
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| Text in the image | Spell out the words and where they go; OpenAI's own example quotes them: labeled 'Relax & Unwind'. The docs still list text placement and clarity as a limitation. | Put the words in quotes and describe the font style. Google's template: "...with the text "[text to render]" in a [font style]." The docs add that Gemini does best if you generate the text first, then ask for the image. | Double quotes only; single quotes "won't work." Keep it short, add "written" or "with the words", and "consider using Raw or lowering the Stylize value." Example: a pastel watercolor landscape with "imagine" written in the clouds. |
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| Leaving things out | A direct instruction works: "Do not include…". No special syntax. | Google's "semantic negative prompts": instead of "no cars", describe "an empty, deserted street with no signs of traffic." | Use --no at the end ("still life gouache painting --no fruit, apple, pear"). In the prompt body, "If you mention a party with 'no cake,' a cake might still appear." |
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| Reference images & edits | Attach images and describe the change; the help page says to name the area if the edit is local. Transparent backgrounds are supported. API masking is prompt-based and applies to the first image. | Up to 14 reference images on 2.1. Describe the change; the model matches the original's style, lighting, and perspective. Template: "Using the provided image, change only the [element] to [new element]." Multi-turn chat is the recommended way to iterate. | The Edit Model (V8.1/8.2) takes up to 4 reference images and, unlike classic prompts, accepts instructions ("make this girl into a real character"). Style references use --sref with --sw 0–1000 (default 100). |
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| Where to run it | Free tier can generate images with a separate, unpublished usage limit; "Images with thinking" is Plus, Pro, and Business. | Free in the Gemini app at 1K; 2K needs a Google AI plan. The limits page gives multipliers (Plus 2×, Pro 4×, Ultra 5–20×), not counts. Not on the API free tier for 2.1's premium features; Nano Banana Pro is paid. | No free trial on the web or Discord. Plans: Basic $10, Standard $30, Pro $60, Mega $120 a month (annual roughly 20% less). |
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| Provenance | Content Credentials (C2PA) plus an invisible SynthID watermark on every image. | "All generated images include a SynthID watermark." | "Every image Midjourney delivers has a small ID tag hidden inside the file," checkable at midjourney.com/verify. |
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