Since 2023, we have been finding, testing, learning and reassessing new tools for generating images and video at Scenes. The list now includes 67 significant tools, models and model generations - more than one new evaluation every month. And we are not seeing any signs of that slowing down.
The interesting part is that testing a new model is not just about whether it can make a beautiful image. For client work, we evaluate a much broader set of criteria.
What we evaluate
Image quality and realism
Overall visual quality, detail, materials, lighting, texture, anatomy and how close the result gets to professional photography or high-end CGI.
Pricing and scalability
Token or credit cost, subscription tiers, bundled generation packages, API pricing, volume discounts and cost predictability at scale.
Consistency and repeatability
Stability of quality, identity, style and product representation across multiple assets and iterations.
Accuracy and control
The ability to follow prompts, references, compositions, product details and art direction with precision.
Workflow complexity
The number of steps, level of specialist knowledge and amount of manual intervention required to reach a production-ready result.
Speed and throughput
Time per generation, iteration speed and the ability to scale production efficiently.
Editing and post-production
The quality and flexibility of inpainting, out-painting, object replacement, upscaling, retouching and controlled revisions.
Pipeline integration
Compatibility with existing production tools, APIs, automation, file formats and approval processes.
Features and production potential
Reference-image control, character consistency, camera control, motion, multi-image input and other capabilities that expand what can realistically be produced.
Provenance and jurisdiction
Country of origin, hosting location, data handling, licensing terms and client-specific restrictions or no-go lists.
The newest AI tool is not automatically the best one. The right tool gives you the best combination of quality, control, speed, flexibility and economics for the assignment.
67 tools, models and generations since 2023
Here is a selection of the visual AI tools and model generations we have tried, evaluated or used.
2023
- MarchAdobe Firefly Image 1
- MarchMidjourney V5
- MayMidjourney V5.1
- MayPhotoshop Generative Fill
- JuneMidjourney V5.2
- JuneRunway Gen-2
- JulyStable Diffusion XL / SDXL
- OctoberChatGPT / DALL·E 3
- OctoberAdobe Firefly Image 2
- NovemberMagnific AI
- DecemberGoogle Imagen 2
- DecemberMidjourney V6
2024
- FebruaryGemini Image Generation
- AprilAdobe Firefly Image 3
- MayGoogle Imagen 3
- MayGoogle Veo 1
- JuneKling 1.0
- JuneLuma Dream Machine
- JuneRunway Gen-3 Alpha
- JulyMidjourney V6.1
- AugustFLUX.1 Schnell
- AugustFLUX.1 Dev
- AugustFLUX.1 Pro
- SeptemberKling 1.5
- SeptemberRunway Gen-3 Alpha Turbo
- OctoberFLUX 1.1 Pro
- OctoberStable Diffusion 3.5
- OctoberPika 1.5
- OctoberRecraft V3
- NovemberFLUX 1.1 Pro Ultra
- DecemberGrok / Aurora Image Generation
- DecemberOpenAI Sora
- DecemberGoogle Veo 2
- DecemberKling 1.6
- DecemberLuma Photon
2025
- JanuaryLuma Ray2
- MarchRunway Gen-4
- MarchChatGPT / GPT-4o Image Generation
- MarchGrok Image Generation API
- MarchIdeogram 3.0
- AprilSeedream 3.0
- AprilMidjourney V7
- AprilKling 2.0
- AprilOpenAI GPT Image 1
- MayGoogle Imagen 4
- MayGoogle Veo 3
- JuneSeedance 1.0
- JuneHiggsfield AI
- AugustGrok Imagine
- AugustGemini 2.5 Flash Image / Nano Banana
- SeptemberSeedream 4.0
- SeptemberKling 2.5 Turbo
- SeptemberOpenAI Sora 2
- OctoberGoogle Veo 3.1
- NovemberGemini 3 Pro Image / Nano Banana Pro
- NovemberFLUX 2 Pro / Flex
- DecemberRunway Gen-4.5
- DecemberGPT Image 1.5 / new ChatGPT Images
- DecemberSeedance 1.5 Pro
2026
- FebruarySeedance 2.0
- FebruarySeedream 5.0 Lite
- JuneGrok Imagine Video 1.5
- JulySeedream 5.0 Pro
- JulySeedance 2.5
- AugustGrok Imagine Image 2.0
- SeptemberChatGPT Images 2.5
The competitive advantage
The competitive advantage is not mastering one AI tool. It is building the ability to continuously evaluate, switch and combine tools as the technology changes.
This is why Scenes is not built around one platform or model. We select and combine the tools that best fit the brand, the creative ambition and the commercial requirements of each assignment.
Talks, interviews and articles · Discuss what this means for your brand