Which Google image model for product photos after Oct 6?
Nano Banana 2.1, Pro or Lite for product photos? A table built from Google's Oct 6 prices, size limits and reference rules, and what Sume lists.

For most product photos, start with Nano Banana 2.1. It is $0.0504 per 2K image on Google's Standard tier, takes up to 10 object references, lists legible text rendering and goes to 4K. Choose Pro when you need style references or a premium look worth $0.134, and Lite only for 1K drafts. Sume lists 2.1 and Pro, but not Lite.
The table
Prices are Google list prices for one output image on the paid Standard tier. Capabilities come from Google's image guide.
| Need | Pick | Price per image | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalogue shots at 2K | Nano Banana 2.1 | $0.0504 | Up to 10 object references; 1K to 4K |
| Hero image at 4K | Nano Banana 2.1 or Pro | $0.113 or $0.24 | Both go to 4K |
| Brand look from a style image | Nano Banana Pro | $0.134 at 1K or 2K | Only Pro lists style references (up to 3) |
| Fast 1K drafts | Nano Banana 2 Lite | $0.0336 | 1K only, no grounding |
| Product with a current fact on it | Nano Banana 2.1 | $0.0504 at 2K + search fee | Supports Google Search grounding; Lite does not |
Cost of 100 product images at 2K
At 2K, 100 images cost $5.04 on Nano Banana 2.1 and $13.40 on Pro, from Google's prices. Lite cannot make 2K. The $8.36 gap is the price of Pro's style references and whatever look-and-feel difference you see in a side-by-side test.
What I would not claim
- That Pro looks better than 2.1 on your product. Google does not publish a ranking, so test five of your own prompts on both.
- That Lite is as good at text. Google says only that it is the fastest and cheapest, tuned for speed and scale.
Via Sume
Use google/nano-banana-2.1 or google/nano-banana-pro in Sume's Image API. Sume sets its own prices, so read usage.cost on a test image and GET /v1/images/models/{id}/endpoints before you quote a client.
Sources
Related posts
More in Use cases
- Which second caption language for a Reel? Read the Audience tab
Edits shows where followers are and offers bilingual captions in 15 languages. Choose the second language from audience data, and burn cues for the rest.
- Whole-song AI music video: a 3-minute video for $11.68
A full 3-minute music video on Sume: one Lyria 3.5 track, 18 ten-second Wan 3.0 shots at 480p and a 3-minute Timeline render for $11.68.
- Will my AI Reel show on Instagram for TV? 13+ ratings, shared screens
Instagram says TV Reels are for shared viewing and follow 13+ ratings. What that means for AI Reels, what the page leaves out, and a frame check before posting.
- Will TikTok remove my AI avatar brand account as fake?
TikTok removed 86 million fake accounts in Q1 2026 and bans impersonation. A labeled, invented avatar account is a different case, but TikTok makes no promise.
Written by Sume