Is GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst better than Nano Banana 2.1?

Too close to call so far: in the BudgetPixel AI Image Arena, GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst wins 50% and Nano Banana 2.1 50% of 10 blind head-to-head votes (ties 0%), within what chance alone would produce. The per-prompt results on this page show where each model wins.

Which is faster, GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst or Nano Banana 2.1?

Nano Banana 2.1 is faster: 17.3s median per 1:1 image against 31.2s for GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst, measured on the same 6 prompts at default settings in the BudgetPixel AI Image Arena.

Which is cheaper, GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst or Nano Banana 2.1?

Nano Banana 2.1 is cheaper on BudgetPixel: 45 credits ($0.045) per 1:1 image against 120 credits ($0.12) for GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst, at default settings.

How is this comparison made?

Both models render the identical prompt at default settings; voters see the two images blind and pick the better one. Model names are revealed only after the vote.

GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst vs Nano Banana 2.1

6 identical prompts, default settings, blind community votes. Head-to-head: 50% preferred GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst, 50% preferred Nano Banana 2.1, 0 ties, 10 votes.

GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst and Nano Banana 2.1 have met in 10 blind head-to-head votes on 6 identical prompts in the BudgetPixel AI Image Arena. The votes are too close to call so far: GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst 50%, Nano Banana 2.1 50%, 0 ties. Nano Banana 2.1 was faster, at 17.3s median per image against 31.2s for GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst.

GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst overview GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst in the arena Try GPT Image 2.6 SunburstNano Banana 2.1 overview Nano Banana 2.1 in the arena Try Nano Banana 2.1

GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst

Nano Banana 2.1

“On a bare workshop bench, exactly three identical table lamps stand in a row: crimson at left, lemon-yellow in the middle, and turquoise at right; each has a cream shade, nothing else.”Prompt adherence
GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst · 23.9s · 62 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 16.9s · 40 crTry
“A fantasy still photograph of a majestic fox, its fur coat featuring breathtaking fiber-optic rainbow glitter that shimmers with dense prismatic sparkles shifting vibrantly under the ethereal moonlight. The wolf features white and green undertones across its thick coat; its fur is intricately adorned with embedded polished topaz and shimmering opals that catch the glowing light. It is walking in an enchanted landscape filled with multicolored bioluminescent hibiscus flowers blooming in radiant neon shades and twisting cherry trees with glowing pink blossoms. The background features a dramatic full moon and a vibrant multicolored starry sky filled with an aurora. A soft ethereal glow illuminates the wolf's commanding silhouette, with razor-sharp focus on its piercing golden eyes, in a magical realism style.”Concept art & fantasy
GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst · 32.4s · 62 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 26.2s · 40 crTry
“Glamorous adult female baker wearing a baker's apron, working in a busy baker's shop and serving happy adult customers. The baker's shop is big and modern.”Glamour
GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst · 34.4s · 62 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 17.6s · 40 crTry
“A confident adult Korean witch with cat-eye glasses and orange hair flies on her broom. She wears a fitted short black dress and chunky shoes. A carved pumpkin also rides the broomstick. Moon, distant city. The witch is smiling. Stylized semi-realistic digital character painting, expressive animation-inspired facial proportions, large eyes and strong brows, simplified natural anatomy with convincing three-dimensional volume. Painterly shape-based rendering, minimal linework, soft blended facial shading contrasted with broad angular brushstrokes on clothing. Warm luminous skin with peach and terracotta undertones, subtle rosy cheeks and nose, restrained highlights. Hair rendered as flowing sculpted masses with broad highlights and a few fine flyaway strands. Muted charcoal and earthy neutral palette, soft directional studio lighting, carefully rendered eyes and lips, selectively loose edges and unfinished brushwork.”Illustration & anime
GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst · 31.5s · 62 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 23.1s · 40 crTry
“[SREF-1074094933 - monochromatic, digital illustration, dreamlike, ethereal, melancholy, introspection, surreal, Japanese-inspired, dramatic lighting, expressive brushstrokes, limited color palette, photo manipulation, compositing, ink painting] A beautiful young adult woman wearing a loose, white blouse and a long, tight, dark red skirt that goes down to her ankles, with a long slit that goes high up her thigh, and high-heeled, strappy sandals. She leans casually against a wall under a streetlight with one ankle crossed over the other and her arms crossed.”Portrait & fashion
GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst · 30.7s · 62 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 16.3s · 40 crTry
“Overhead, an unbranded modular lunchware set lies in sequence, its matte silicone seals and translucent polymer containers on pale terrazzo against a warm ivory backdrop; broad softbox key light and gentle side fill reveal blank surfaces in a commercial product image.”Product & commercial
GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst · 31.0s · 62 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 13.0s · 40 crTry

From the BudgetPixel blog

FAQ

Is GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst better than Nano Banana 2.1?: Too close to call so far: in the BudgetPixel AI Image Arena, GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst wins 50% and Nano Banana 2.1 50% of 10 blind head-to-head votes (ties 0%), within what chance alone would produce. The per-prompt results on this page show where each model wins.
Which is faster, GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst or Nano Banana 2.1?: Nano Banana 2.1 is faster: 17.3s median per 1:1 image against 31.2s for GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst, measured on the same 6 prompts at default settings in the BudgetPixel AI Image Arena.
Which is cheaper, GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst or Nano Banana 2.1?: Nano Banana 2.1 is cheaper on BudgetPixel: 45 credits ($0.045) per 1:1 image against 120 credits ($0.12) for GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst, at default settings.
How is this comparison made?: Both models render the identical prompt at default settings; voters see the two images blind and pick the better one. Model names are revealed only after the vote.