The best AI models for photorealistic photos?! In the last two weeks, Google's "Nano Banana" (officially: Gemini 2.5 Flash Image) has hit the scene and turned the web upside down - thanks to its excellent identity preservation and multi-level editing. Meanwhile, Midjourney V7 continues to shine in aesthetics, and ChatGPT-5 offers photorealistic results directly in chat. This is a quick but accurate guide to which tool to choose for the most beautiful "AI photos" - from portraits to product shots.
The best AI models for photorealistic photography?! Professional photos used to require a budget, a team, and patience. Now, it seems, all you need is a good idea, some references... and a model nicknamed after a fruit. Google has been adding a new feature to its app in recent days. Gemini included a new model for generating and editing images — internally called "Nano Banana," but officially Gemini 2.5 Flash Image. It handles multiple photo blending, character preservation, and precise local corrections, all with a simple text command. To be clear: all released images are also marked with an invisible SynthID watermark. So these are the best AI models for photorealistic photography right now. And the author of this article has tested them all for you.
Based on a portrait photo and styling from Zara, you can create a look with a very simple and short prompt.
What is “Nano Banana” (Gemini 2.5 Flash Image) – and why is it in the spotlight right now?
On August 26, Google officially released the Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (aka “nano-banana”) and included it in the Gemini application. Focus: preservation of identity a person or object across multiple edits and scenes, multi-image fusion (merging multiple input images) and targeted, multi-level editing with plain language. The model behind the scenes understands the world (“world knowledge”), which helps with realistic details (from textures to lighting). Everything generated or edited is marked with a visible and invisible SynthID stamp.
Why does this interest photographic perfectionists? Because AI tools have long "corrupted" the likeness of people after two or three edits. Nano Banana specifically closes this gap and is already at the top of the LMArena charts for image editing; it is accessible in the Gemini application, with a daily edit limit (more for paying users).
Bonus: Adobe confirmed on August 26th that Gemini 2.5 Flash Image also available in Adobe Firefly and Adobe Express — official recognition that multi-model workflow is approaching a new standard.
Who is currently doing the “most photographic” work? The best AI models for photorealistic photography?
Tom's Guide is yesterday compared ChatGPT‑5 and Gemini 2.5 Pro in nine image tasks. Result: Gemini won six out of nine, especially in photorealism, demanding lighting, motion blur and consistent tracking of requirements. ChatGPT‑5 was stronger in artistic interpretation and atmosphere. If you want “exactly as in the brief” — Gemini; if you want a little more “spirit” — ChatGPT.
The best models for photorealistic photography today
Google Gemini 2.5 Flash Image ("Nano Banana")
When to choose: Portraits and product compositions, where it must same character stay the same in different environments, or where you need multi-step editing (changing backgrounds, changing outfits, blending two photos into one).
Why: Strong preservation of identity, multi-image fusion and natural language editing; available in the Gemini app (also for free users with a daily limit). All content is marked with SynthID.
News of the last few days: official integration into the Gemini application; additionally, the model is included in Adobe Firefly/Express, meaning the team can use the same set of creative tools within familiar Adobe workflows.
Midjourney V7
When to choose: Fashion/editorial aesthetics, stylistically cohesive "campaign" visuals, and projects where you want a fluid dialogue between references and style.
Why: The V7 became the default model in June and brings Omni-reference (--oref) for consistent characters, Draft mode for ~10x faster drafts and better coherence of bodies, hands and objects. V7 is also a leap forward in terms of “skin” and textures. In addition, Midjourney has transformed into more of a “working studio” in recent months with on-canvas editing, layers and re-texturing.
ChatGPT‑5 (including GPT Image / 4o Image Generation)
When to choose: When you want everything in one chat — from brief to generation — and when you value rapid iteration with good photorealism, but also with artistic interpretation.
Why: ChatGPT got its own image generation this year (successor to DALL·E), which is strong in text understanding and conversation integration. In yesterday's comparison, ChatGPT‑5 lost to Gemini 2.5 Pro, but was stronger in creative atmosphere and stylization.
Adobe Firefly (Image Model 4 / Ultra) — + new integration with Gemini
When to choose: If you work in Creative Cloud and need commercially safe data sources, consistent rights, and a quick transition to Photoshop/Illustrator/Premiere.
Why: Firefly 4/Ultra targets higher photorealism and is designed for professional workflows (Boards, Express, CC integration). Breaking news: in Firefly/Express you can now also call Gemini 2.5 Flash Image — this is practically a “multi-model” working environment.
Black Forest Labs — FLUX.1 (Kontext / Pro)
When to choose: When you want to combine speed + good prompt tracking and work with references (campaigns, moodboards, catalogs).
Why: FLUX.1 Kontext brought a focus on context and editing, while FLUX 1.1 Pro is a fast baseline for quality renders with a good understanding of instructions.
Stable local variant: Stable Diffusion 3.5
When to choose: If you want to locally work, fine-tune the pipeline (ComfyUI, LoRA) and have time for optimization.
Why: SD 3.5 has significantly improved quality and is available in a variety of configurations, from “Large” to faster builds and enterprise packaging. It’s not trivial, but it’s flexible.
Quick SOS tips for photorealism (regardless of model)
- Write down the optics: 35mm for a reportage feel, 50/85mm for a portrait, f/1.8–2.8 for shallow depth of field.
- Give the light a task: "winter north window", "golden hour", "soft diffused light".
- Write down the areas: skin (dust, pores, fine wrinkles), textures (cotton, brushed steel), materials.
- Avoid “AI fog”: request sharp edges, natural grain and real irregularities (fine wrinkles on clothes, micro-distribution of hair).
- For character consistency: Use reference photos/omni-references (where available) and note consistent attributes (eye color, birthmark, hairstyle).
Which tool to choose by scenario
- Portraits with multiple outfits/settings, but the same face: Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (Nano Banana) — most reliably maintains identity across a series of edits; great for editorial/advertisements.
- Campaign style and “hero shot” aesthetic: Midjourney V7 — premium textures, skin and style cohesion, quick draft with Draft mode.
- Fast creative cycle in chat (brief → image): ChatGPT‑5 — great for dialogue iterations; for strictly photorealistic requirements, Gemini beat it in tests.
- Agency flow with CC and rights: Adobe Firefly (with call option) Gemini 2.5 Flash Image inside Firefly/Express).
- Flexible DIY and local work: Stable Diffusion 3.5 or FLUX.1 (Context/Pro).
Conclusion: Yes, “Nano Banana” is indeed among the best for photography
If you work with people, animals or products where must identity to survive a series of edits, Nano Banana is currently the most reliable answer — with support in Gemini, fresh integration into the Adobe ecosystem, and concrete tests that confirm Gemini's advantage in photorealism and technical accuracy. Midjourney V7 remains the style champion, and ChatGPT‑5 is convenience and creativity in one window. Best of all? You don't have to choose one: 2025 is the year multi-model creativity.
The photos are all created with artificial intelligence.
