HummingBytes benchmark · Tested March 2026
Nano Banana Pro vs Seedream 4.5
Seedream 4.5 is the lower-cost choice for portraits and face fidelity. Nano Banana Pro leads the harder realism, UI, spatial reasoning and editing tests in this benchmark.
Existing benchmark outputs. Read the prompt and verdict in the tests below.
Choose by the result you need
Each criterion links to the original test. These observations describe the displayed outputs.
Seedream 4.5
Closer resemblance and expression.
Nano Banana Pro
Less faithful to the original expression.
Seedream 4.5
Less consistent layout.
Nano Banana Pro
More coherent layout and hierarchy.
Seedream 4.5
Clearer text with fewer distorted letters.
Nano Banana Pro
Less readable text; missed the QR code.
Seedream 4.5
More changes to the subject.
Nano Banana Pro
Better identity preservation and integration.
How to read these results
We compared generated images and edits using the prompts and references shown below. Inspect the full images before choosing for your own brief.
These are the original benchmark results. Prices, timings and supported formats describe the test configuration, not a new measurement.
Testing details and limitations
Both models are evaluated using matched prompts and settings. We review side by side and score each test on adherence, realism, factual correctness, and structural stability.
All outputs were generated at 4K resolution using default model settings inside HummingBytes, with no post-processing applied. Each model received the same prompt and, where applicable, the same reference image. Tests were last run in March 2026. Results may vary as models are updated.
The original 4K comparison recorded 5 credits and about 45 seconds for Seedream 4.5, versus 30 credits and 60–120 seconds for Nano Banana Pro. Nano Banana Pro won all six editing tests.
The live-data example and its factual limitations are included in the spatial reasoning and factual accuracy group.
Image generation
Inspect the output pairs and their references. Open a prompt to see exactly what was requested.
Portraits and scene realism
Inspect faces, physical detail, landmarks and named objects.
Portrait Headshot (Seedream 4.5 Sweet Spot)
What this test checks
Seedream is often the best value model for generating professional headshots with clean studio backgrounds.
Winner:
Seedream 4.5Why this winner
Maintains closer facial resemblance and preserves the original expression more accurately.
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Compare input vs
Complex Realism Prompt (Underwater Cinematic Test)
What this test checks
For highly detailed, physically complex scenes, Nano Banana Pro tends to preserve realism, lighting behavior, and material detail more reliably.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Underwater light behavior, skin texture, and depth cues are generally more convincing and coherent.
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Landmark Accuracy (Torres del Paine Test)
What this test checks
When a prompt depends on a real, recognizable location, Nano Banana Pro is more reliable at preserving landmark identity and environmental realism.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Torres del Paine landmark recognition and background coherence are stronger with fewer hallucinated geography details.
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Named Object Fidelity (Ferrari 812 Test)
What this test checks
This test checks whether each model can reproduce a real Ferrari 812 Competizione, not just a generic supercar look.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Seedream resembles a Ferrari-like car but misses key 812 Competizione signatures; Nano Banana Pro is much closer to the real model in geometry, vents, and rear detailing.
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Text, layouts and graphics
Check exact wording, readability and how the page or image is organized.
UI Mockup Generation (Nano Banana Pro Showcase)
What this test checks
Nano Banana Pro is stronger for professional UX/UI design and realistic product mockups.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Layout coherence, visual hierarchy, and realistic product rendering are more consistent.
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Complex Infographic Composition
What this test checks
For posters, infographics, and multi-element compositions, Nano Banana Pro tends to nail detail with fewer mistakes.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Multi-element arrangement and text alignment remain cleaner with fewer visual collisions.
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Text Rendering Test
What this test checks
When a prompt requires readable typography and clean text hierarchy, Seedream 4.5 often delivers stronger out-of-the-box clarity.
Winner:
Seedream 4.5Why this winner
Text blocks are more readable with fewer letter distortions in this test, and the Nano Banana Pro result also missed the QR code.
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Product photography and ads
Compare product presentation, campaign composition and visual hierarchy.
Poster Composition Test
What this test checks
This test focuses on visual composition, texture realism, and art direction in a cinematic poster-style scene.
Winner:
Seedream 4.5Why this winner
Cleaner negative space discipline and more balanced typography integration, resulting in a stronger poster-ready composition.
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Typography + Design Composition Test
What this test checks
This test evaluates typography quality, hierarchy, and composition discipline in a luxury poster layout.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Stronger vertical hierarchy and cleaner separation between headline block and product, resulting in a more traditional luxury poster composition.
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Spatial reasoning and factual accuracy
Check whether a convincing image also follows the scene logic and factual brief.
Spatial Logic & Physics (The Mirror Paradox)
What this test checks
Most models struggle with reflections, often hallucinating text where it shouldn't. We tested both models with a prompt to see if they understand 3D space, not just 2D patterns.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Nano Banana Pro correctly reverses the text in the reflection and shows the correct text in the back of the paper. Seedream 4.5 reflects the text incorrectly and applies it to both sides of the paper, showing weaker spatial awareness.
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Real-Time Knowledge (The "Live Market" Test)
What this test checks
Standard models rely on "frozen" training data (often 6-12 months old). We asked both models to visualize today's financial data to see if they could access the live web or if they would hallucinate outdated numbers.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Nano Banana Pro accessed the live web to fetch the exact spot prices for March 4, 2026, rendering an accurate snapshot of the current market. Seedream generated plausible-looking but factually incorrect prices. It relied on old training data (likely from 2024/2025), missing the current market reality entirely.
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Image editing
These tests evaluate how well each model preserves identity, handles edge separation, and integrates edits into a coherent result.
Subject and product preservation
See what stays intact when the background, clothing or lighting changes.
Identity-Preserving Background Change
What this test checks
Both models receive the same portrait and must replace only the background while keeping the subject's face, expression, clothing, and pose completely unchanged.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Better identity preservation and more coherent environmental integration.
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Compare input vs
Clothing Replacement (Garment Swap)
What this test checks
Both models receive a street portrait and must replace only the outer jacket with a different garment while preserving everything else.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Preserved body proportions and other clothing faithfully. Seedream altered body proportions and other clothing pieces despite explicit constraints.
Lighting Transformation (Identity Under Extreme Light Shift)
What this test checks
Both models receive the same portrait and must apply a dramatic cinematic night relight while preserving identity, expression, pose, clothing, and scene structure.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Provided better identity stability while adapting to extreme lighting conditions.
Object removal and scene cleanup
Check the erased area and any unintended changes around it.
Person Removal (Object Erasure)
What this test checks
Both models receive an image of a couple and must cleanly remove one person while preserving everything else about the scene.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Almost no change to the original image aside from the removal. Seedream altered colors, camera angle, and several other aspects.
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Object Removal (Background Crowd Cleanup)
What this test checks
Both models receive the same street portrait and must remove background people while preserving the subject and reconstructing the environment naturally.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Stronger geometric stability and cleaner environmental reconstruction after removing background subjects.
Text replacement
Compare the new wording and the parts of the original image that should stay unchanged.
Text Replacement on Physical Sign
What this test checks
Both models receive a photo of a letter board sign and must replace one word while preserving the sign's physical appearance and surroundings.
Winner:
Nano Banana ProWhy this winner
Preserved the flat letter style and scene faithfully. Seedream made the text look 3D and altered the sign appearance.
Full comparison details
Follow the linked categories to inspect the evidence.
Price (4K image)
Seedream 4.5
5 credits
Nano Banana Pro
30 credits
Speed (4K)
Seedream 4.5
~45 seconds
Nano Banana Pro
60-120 seconds
Seedream 4.5
Portraits + face fidelity
Nano Banana Pro
Maximum realism + versatility
Prompt adherence
Seedream 4.5
Excellent
Nano Banana Pro
Excellent + system-level control
Seedream 4.5
Best-in-class
Nano Banana Pro
Can drift unless prompted carefully
Seedream 4.5
Very strong
Nano Banana Pro
Strong, especially for infographics
Seedream 4.5
Decent
Nano Banana Pro
Best-in-world
Seedream 4.5
Good
Nano Banana Pro
Outstanding (landmarks, products, cars)
Seedream 4.5
Basic (Often fails physics/reflections)
Nano Banana Pro
Advanced (Understands 3D logic & light)
Seedream 4.5
Frozen (Past training data only)
Nano Banana Pro
Live (Real-time web access)
Seedream 4.5
Low (Hallucinates numbers)
Nano Banana Pro
High (Fetches real data)
How to use these results
- Start with the test closest to your brief. Compare the requested text, composition and reference assignments before judging the overall finish.
- For edits, inspect the original alongside both results. Check the face or product, camera position and areas that should stay unchanged.
- Reuse the exact prompt and shown settings as a starting point. Check current pricing and available settings before generating; verify any factual text yourself.
Which model should you choose?
Seedream 4.5
Choose it for portrait-heavy work when face resemblance, turnaround and cost matter most. The original 4K runs cost one-sixth as much as Nano Banana Pro.
Nano Banana Pro
Choose it for difficult realism, named objects, landmarks, UI mockups and spatial constraints. It also won all six editing tests with stronger preservation.
Need several versions of the same creative? Explore batch image generation