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AI Image Generator Crash Test
AI image generators have gained significant popularity in recent years, revolutionizing the way we create visual content. These advanced algorithms leverage deep learning techniques to generate images that are remarkably realistic and visually stunning. From creating lifelike photographs to imaginative illustrations, AI image generators have become indispensable tools for artists, designers, and content creators.
With the increasing number of AI image generators available, it has become crucial to test and compare their performance to identify the best one for specific creative needs. This article aims to conduct a comprehensive crash test among the top image generators, putting them through their paces using the same prompt. By evaluating their results side by side, we can gain valuable insights into their capabilities and determine which one stands out as the most impressive.
The objective of this article is to provide an unbiased assessment of various AI image generators and shed light on their strengths and weaknesses. By subjecting them to identical prompts, we can objectively evaluate their performance across different styles, such as photographs, illustrations, and abstract art. Through this crash test, we hope to guide you in making informed decisions when choosing an AI image generator for your creative endeavors.
Methodology - Tools Tested
Methodology & Tools Tested
For our crash test of the top AI image generators, we wanted to select contenders that are widely used and accessible to most users. As such, we chose to test :
- DALL-E: by OpenaIA DALL-E 2 and DALL-E 3 by OpenAI: OpenAI’s DALL-E models are currently at the forefront in the field of AI-driven image generation. DALL-E 2, renowned for its advanced capabilities and impressive outputs, is broadly available through OpenAI’s free tier. On the other hand, the more advanced DALL-E 3 is reserved for plus subscribers, offering even more sophisticated image generation features. These systems were chosen for their prominence in the AI landscape and their ability to generate high-quality images from text prompts.
- Midjourney: Gaining significant traction in 2023, Midjourney has become a popular choice for AI image generation. Its unique integration with Discord and a free tier offering limited monthly image generations have contributed to its widespread use. Midjourney’s ability to produce artistically compelling images with a distinct style made it a crucial inclusion in our tests.
- Bing Image Creator: As a mainstream search engine’s offering, Bing Image Creator provides a user-friendly platform for AI image generation. Its accessibility to a large audience and integration with Bing’s search technology offered a different perspective on the capabilities of AI-driven image creation.
- Stable Diffusion XL Playground: Known for its open-source nature, Stable Diffusion has rapidly gained a reputation for flexibility and high-quality image generation. The tool’s free access and the ability for users to run it on their own hardware underscore its appeal to a tech-savvy audience, making it an essential part of our evaluation.
- Adobe Firefly: As Adobe’s entry into the AI image generation space, Firefly brings the brand’s longstanding expertise in creative software to the AI realm. Known for its intuitive interface and integration with Adobe’s ecosystem, Firefly targets both creative professionals and general users, offering a distinct approach to AI-driven image creation.
- Leonardo AI: This AI generator (acquired by Canva), though less known than some of its counterparts, has shown promise in delivering high-quality images with a focus on artistic expression. Leonardo.ai‘s inclusion in our test was driven by its potential to offer unique insights into the evolving capabilities of AI image generators.
- Imagine by Meta: Joining the ranks of innovative AI image generation tools is Meta’s latest offering, “Imagine.” Developed by the social media and technology giant Meta, Imagine leverages the company’s extensive research and development in AI to create a tool that is both powerful and user-friendly. Imagine stands out for its ability to integrate seamlessly with Meta’s suite of products and services. Its unique selling point lies in the integration of social media insights.
- Flux.1: Flux.1 is an emerging AI image generator that has gained attention for its remarkable ability to create realistic human features, especially hands. This tool is noted for its cutting-edge technology and high-quality output, making it a valuable addition to our test. Flux.1’s focus on detailed and accurate image generation, particularly in challenging areas like human anatomy, highlights its potential and innovation in the AI space.
Each of these tools was selected for its unique features, accessibility, and potential to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of AI image generation. Our testing methodology was designed to assess the strengths and limitations of these varied platforms in a range of challenging scenarios.
Prompts and Testing Process
Prompts and Testing Process
We are going to give five different types of prompts to ensure diverse styles and evaluate the versatility of image generators:
- Photograph Style: “A photo of a busy city intersection at night with neon signs and many cars”
- Photography of a famous person: “A photo of Che Guevara visiting Acropolis, Athens Greece”
- Illustration Style: “An illustration of a robot walking a dog in a futuristic city”
- Abstract Style: “Produce an abstract artwork inspired by vibrant colors and geometric shapes.”
- Realistic Object: A photorealistic image of a bowl of ramen noodles
These prompts were chosen to evaluate performance across different image styles.
We used the default model and settings for each AI system, as we wanted to evaluate their general “out of the box” capabilities (for Leonardo it is DreamShaper_v7).
The prompts were entered into each image generator through their standard user interface just as any typical user would submit them, without making any other special selection.
Each AI generator was given the same set of 5 prompts one at a time. We allowed them to generate the default number of images per prompt as a reasonable sampling to choose from. If the model generated more than one image, we selected (and presented) the best (you have to trust our objectivity and … taste on this).
We omitted any error messages or failed generations, only collecting successfully completed images.
With a consistent methodology using the exact same prompts given to each AI image generator under their default conditions, we could closely compare the performance and output of the top image generators. This head-to-head crash test allows us to crown an overall winner.
Prompt 1: Photograph Style
Analysis of Image Generation Results
Overall, this prompt category (”A photo of a busy city intersection at night with neon signs and many cars”) brought out the best across the board, with several AIs proving capable of near-photorealistic generation.
Midjourney v 6.1 generated images with a captivating “wow factor” with a razor-sharp focus on the wet, nighttime street and unbelievably rich realistic details and depth.
Flux AI, Imagine by Meta, and Leonardo emerged as top contenders, producing equally high-quality results, each with different strong (and weak) points, lacking in artistic flair and intricate details, when compared to Midjourney’s v 6.1 image.
Prompt 2: Photography of a famous person
Analysis of Image Generation Results
This prompt challenged the AIs’ capabilities, exposing weaknesses in generating believable images of (famous) people in specified locations.
Midjourney is the clear winner, since it succeeded by staying faithful to the prompt and maintaining photorealism, and generating an impressive overall result.
Leonardo generated a superior representation of both Che Guevara and the Acropolis.
Flux.1 generated also an impressive image, and could be the winner if the depiction of the Acropolis would have been more realistic.
Prompt 3: Illustration Style
Analysis of Image Generation Results
The illustration prompt produced varying degrees of success among the AI image generators, with overall good results.
In this test, Midjourney, Flux.1, Leonardo and DALL-E 3 share the top spot, each delivering excellent results but in distinctly different artistic styles, showcasing their unique strengths in visual interpretation.
Midjourney excellently balanced all elements of the prompt, resulting in a cohesive and well-executed image, although it resembles more of a realistic photo and less an illustration.
DALL-E 3 stood out for its accuracy to the prompt and the luminous quality of its artwork.
Flux.1 generated an artistically intriguing 2D illustration that that was very accurate to the prompt.
Prompt 4: Abstract Style
Analysis of Image Generation Results
This abstract art prompt proved to be an easier challenge. Overall, generating captivating abstract art from this prompt seemed well within most models’ technical capabilities.
Surprisingly, Adobe Firefly, which failed on most other prompts, shone here by producing the most interesting and unique result. Its abstract image stood out with bold geometric forms and vivid yet balanced colors.
Bing and Stable Diffusion produced images with vibrant colors but lacked artistic interest or variety in geometric shapes, resulting in flat outcomes.
Prompt 5: Realistic Object
Analysis of Image Generation Results
In this photorealistic food prompt, we saw mostly fair results, and a clear winner in Midjourney.
Midjourney flawlessly rendered the noodles, broth, eggs, and garnishes in an indistinguishable-from-reality way. While most generators capably produced appetizing images, Midjourney achieved full authentic photorealism for this prompt. Its ability to generate natural food scenes gave it the win for this final test.
Flux.1 had also an almost perfect result (but missed in the depiction of the egg).
AND THE BEST AI IMAGE GENERATOR IS
The clear winner across all the prompts tested is Midjourney. Their algorithm consistently produces good to perfect images, regardless of style or prompt. Flux.1 came close to Midjourney’s level of reliable, quality results, but it is a (small) step behind.
DALL-E 3, Stable Diffusion, Meta’s Imagine and Leonardo also produced mostly good outputs, but they only occasionally achieved near-perfection, while still failing on some details or parameters. These models are decent AI art generators, but ultimately fall short of Midjourney’s (or Flux.1) prowess.
Midjourney reigns supreme as the undisputed king among the image creators. While the other AIs have strengths in certain areas, none could match Midjourney’s versatility, attention to detail, and ability to excel in photographic, illustrative, abstract, and photorealistic styles. Our extensive head-to-head comparisons prove Midjourney is in a class of its own when it comes to AI-generated art.
This article provides an unbiased overview of each tool, informed by user reviews and expert insights, aligning with The AI Track’s commitment to offering genuinely helpful, freely accessible resources.
