The decision in one minute
The Nano Banana model family plus the Veo and Seedance video series add up to a lot of versions, and it can be hard to know where to start. This guide gives you a direct decision path — not a feature list, just a clear "use this when" answer.
Context for this site: on Nano Banana, image generation runs on the Nano Banana 2 Lite tier in production, and the video models currently run in demo mode (no credits charged). The model knowledge below is what you need to pick the right tier as more of the family comes online.
Step one: image or video?
Need a static image (product hero shot, poster, lifestyle photo) → look at the image models (NB1, NB2, Pro). Need a moving video (product demo, brand film) → look at the video models (Veo 3.1, Seedance series).
Choosing an image model
Nano Banana (NB1): fastest generation and the lowest per-image cost, with good Chinese language understanding. Best choice for white-background product shots and lifestyle scenes. Not ideal for content requiring precise text rendering.
Nano Banana 2: supports 4K output and up to 14 reference images simultaneously. Virtual try-on (clothing on model compositing) and multi-image fusion are its standout strengths. Also the go-to model for high-volume daily production.
Nano Banana Pro: highest instruction accuracy, best at complex materials (leather, metal, glass). Ideal for luxury-tier product photography. Slower and more expensive — not suitable for bulk use.
Choosing a video model
Veo 3.1: released October 2025. The only model with native audio-visual co-generation — dialogue lip sync and ambient sound accuracy are unmatched. Use this for brand ads with people speaking on camera. Priced per second, relatively high cost.
Seedance 1.0 Pro: fast generation, 7 aspect ratios, 1.2–12 seconds adjustable duration. Best choice for daily e-commerce short-form video (Douyin/TikTok/Reels), lowest cost.
Seedance 1.5 Pro: released December 2025. Upload audio for beat-synced video generation, accurate lip matching. Use this when music coordination or dialogue is important.
Seedance 2.0: released February 2026. 2K resolution, multi-shot narrative, best physics simulation in its class. Use this for premium brand films or videos requiring multiple cuts. Longest generation time.
Recommended starting path
For images: start with NB1 to develop prompt skills → upgrade to NB2 for batch production → consider Pro for high-end brand work.
For video: start with Seedance 1.5 Pro (best all-round balance) → move to Veo 3.1 when you need dialogue → upgrade to Seedance 2.0 for narrative-driven content.
You can also head to the case library and filter by model to see real output before deciding.