Flux 1.1 Pro Ultra vs Recraft V3

Pro Ultra's raw mode excels at documentary subjects like this. The model captures the kind of authentic imperfection that defines real photography: natural grain patterns, realistic skin textures with actual character rather than smoothed perfection, and the specific quality of early morning light that film photographers chase. Results feel like images from a well-used Hasselblad rather than digitally generated content.

Recraft V3's realistic preset produces excellent results but with a cleaner, more commercial aesthetic. The model handles lighting and composition well, creating professional-looking portraits that would serve well in most applications. However, for editorial or documentary work where authentic imperfection adds to the narrative, Pro Ultra's raw treatment provides qualities that Recraft's polished output doesn't replicate.

Text rendering reveals a clear capability gap. Recraft V3 scores 9/10 on text accuracy—among the highest ratings for current models—and consistently produces legible, correctly spelled signage. The model understands text as language, not just visual patterns to approximate, resulting in signs that actually read correctly.

Pro Ultra handles the atmospheric qualities of this prompt beautifully—the neon glow, wet pavement reflections, dusk lighting—but text accuracy is less reliable at 7/10. Letters may be slightly malformed or stylized in ways that affect readability. For ambient signage where atmosphere matters more than perfect legibility, Pro Ultra works fine; for designs where text must be accurate, Recraft is the significantly safer choice.

This prompt highlights Recraft V3's primary advantage: style versatility. With its digital_illustration presets, Recraft produces genuine illustration aesthetics—hand-drawn line quality, watercolor textures, the slightly imperfect charm that characterizes picture book art. The model understands illustration as a distinct medium with its own visual language, not just stylized photography.

Pro Ultra approaches this prompt through its photographic lens. Results may interpret "illustration style" as a filter applied to realistic imagery rather than understanding the fundamental differences in how illustrations are constructed. For teams needing both photographic and illustrative content, Recraft's preset system provides genuine stylistic range that Pro Ultra wasn't designed to deliver.

Pro Ultra's 4MP resolution becomes meaningful for subjects demanding extreme detail. Watch movements, with their tiny components and reflective surfaces, benefit from the additional pixel density. When viewed at full resolution or printed large, Pro Ultra renders individual gear teeth, jewel facets, and micro-textures that would compress or blur at standard 1MP output.

Recraft V3 produces excellent macro imagery at standard resolution—sharp, well-lit, with convincing detail. For web display, social media, or moderate-size prints, Recraft's output is entirely sufficient. The resolution difference matters primarily for large-format printing, significant cropping, or pixel-level examination. Most commercial applications won't require Pro Ultra's additional resolution.

Commercial product photography represents common ground where both models perform well. Recraft V3's realistic preset handles the clean, polished aesthetic that luxury brands require: controlled lighting, pristine surfaces, and the kind of idealized perfection that sells products. With lower cost and ~5 second generation, it's efficient for volume e-commerce work.

Pro Ultra delivers comparable commercial quality with a subtle difference in character—slightly more naturalistic, with the authentic photographic qualities of its raw mode rather than digitally perfect rendering. For brands preferring organic aesthetics or large-format advertising where resolution matters, Pro Ultra justifies its premium. For standard e-commerce and social media product shots, Recraft's lower cost and faster generation make it the practical choice.