Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana Pro

Nano Banana 2.1 is Google’s fast image model and our default; Nano Banana Pro is the higher-end version. We ran the same three prompts through both, once each, at 1K and 4:5, and changed nothing else.

Poster with text

PromptA 4:5 poster for a jazz night called "BLUE HOUR" at a small bar: a saxophone player in silhouette against a deep blue window, the title in large tall serif letters at the top, "Friday 9 pm" small at the bottom.

Both spelled “BLUE HOUR” and the time correctly. Nano Banana 2.1 added “JAZZ NIGHT” under the title; Pro invented a venue name, “The Blue Note Bar”, which we never asked for.

Food photo

PromptTop-down photo of a ramen bowl with soft egg, chashu, scallions and nori on a dark wooden table, steam rising, moody restaurant light, 4:5.

Very close. Pro framed the bowl tighter and added chopsticks and a dish of chili oil; 2.1 added a second egg half and a spoon.

Portrait

PromptCandid portrait of an elderly fisherman mending a net on a harbour wall at golden hour, weathered hands in focus, shallow depth of field, 4:5.

Both convincing. Pro went for a closer, side-on crop on the hands; 2.1 showed more of the harbour.

So which one?

• For most photos, Nano Banana 2.1 was as good here at about half the price.
• Pro is worth trying for hero images and 4K output; check any text it adds, since it invented a venue name on the poster.
• For posters where every word matters, GPT Image is the safer pick.