The 3 AI image editors that actually work (and which one to use when)
Easy to use, very valuable
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After testing dozens of AI image editors, here's the truth: Most are garbage. But three stand out, each dominating a specific use case. Let’s start with the latest release 👇
Nano Banana: Google’s Smartest AI Image Editor Yet
Nano Banana is the codename for an AI model, officially identified as Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, developed by Google DeepMind. It first appeared without formal announcement on LMArena, a platform for blind-testing AI models, sparking speculation about its origins.
The model maintains remarkable consistency in facial features, styles, and objects across multiple edits, addressing a common issue in other AI image editors where subjects change unpredictably.
I used my dog Pixel as a model 😂
Plain English editing: Type "change background to xy"
90-95% consistency: Your subject's face actually stays the same across edits
No masking needed: It figures out what to edit from your description
Cheap: $0.04 per image (1,000 images = $40)
The killer feature: Stack multiple edits without quality degradation.
Real use cases:
Transform product shots into magazines, billboards, ads, etc.
A/B test creatives
Use the model to create an new tool/app (AI generated backgrounds + real photos)
How to use it?
Go to AI Studio (it's free), Gemini or Adobe Firefly
Use the 'build' tab for pre-made templates
Add instructions
Experiment and refine
2. MidJourney: The creative powerhouse
Best for: Original artwork, brand imagery, creative exploration
While others chase photorealism, Midjourney has artistic quality. Version 6.1 isn't just an incremental update—it's a creative weapon.
Why it wins:
Unmatched aesthetics: Creates images that feel like art, not AI
Style consistency: Nail your brand's visual language with style references
Creative variations: The chaos parameter (--chaos) generates unexpected gems
Community intelligence: Follow and connect with users to get even more inspiration
Great at simple animations (short)
The killer feature: Style transfer that actually works.
Real use cases:
Hero images
Brand campaigns
Concept art
Editorial illustrations
Access: $10-120/month
My examples:
3. Adobe Firefly
Best for: Commercial work, team workflows, legal safety
PS. The new Nano Banana 🍌 model is also available in Adobe Firefly.
Why it wins:
Legally bulletproof: Trained only on licensed Adobe Stock + public domain
Native integration: Lives inside Photoshop, Illustrator, and Express
Team-ready: Enterprise controls, brand kits, approval workflows
Generative fill: Wins in extending images and removing objects
The killer feature: Content credentials. Every image is traceable, verifiable, and legally defensible.
Real use cases:
Client work that needs legal clearance
Team projects requiring version control
Quick edits inside existing Creative Cloud workflows
Background extensions that match perfectly
Access: Included in Creative Cloud ($55/month) or standalone ($5/month)
How to decide
🍌 Nano Banana when:
You need precise edits on existing images
Cost matters (100x cheaper than alternatives)
You're iterating quickly on variations
Building products/automation on top
🏞️ Choose Midjourney when:
Creating original imagery from scratch
Brand differentiation matters more than cost
You want artistic, not photographic
Exploring creative directions
Simple animations
🎇 Choose Firefly when:
Legal compliance is non-negotiable
Team collaboration is required
Already paying for Creative Cloud
Enjoy exploring. ✌️
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I liked this one Romina