AI image model by ByteDance
Seedream 4.5 for realistic photos with a natural camera look
Seedream 4.5 is ByteDance's image model. In our own casting tests in September 2026 it beat Nano Banana Pro for portraits that look like real photos rather than AI art, which is why we reach for it when realism matters more than polish.
- From 13 credits
- 3 aspect ratios
- Up to 2K
- Edit with up to 4 photos
What Seedream 4.5 is good at
People who look photographed
Skin, light and framing read like a real snapshot. A review panel and our team preferred it to Nano Banana Pro for portraits that should not look generated.
A large canvas by default
Images come out at 2K or more on the long side in every shape, which leaves room to crop for different platforms.
Everyday scenes
Street corners, kitchens, food and travel moments that look as if someone took them on a phone, not in a studio.
Seedream 4.5 prices in credits
| Setting | Credits |
|---|---|
| 2K | 13 |
- Prices are per image. Reference photos do not change the price.
- The exact price for your settings is shown on the Create button before you start.
- The 7-day introduction ($1.99, 240 credits) covers 18 images, and the Pro plan's 2,200 monthly credits cover about 169 images.
Plans: $1.99 for a 7-day introduction with 240 credits, then $29.99 a month for 2,200 credits, or $59.97 every 3 months with 2,200 credits each month. The introduction is a paid period, not a free trial. See plans · How credits work
Output sizes
| Aspect ratio | 2K |
|---|---|
| 1:1 | 2,048 × 2,048 |
| 16:9 | 2,560 × 1,440 |
| 9:16 | 1,440 × 2,560 |
How to create with Seedream 4.5
Describe a real moment
Write it like a photo caption: who, where, what light and what camera, for example shot on a phone, late afternoon, slight motion blur.
Pick square, wide or tall
Seedream 4.5 offers 1:1, 16:9 and 9:16, each at a fixed large size.
Create and look closely
Check hands, small text and fine details before you use the picture, as you would with any AI photo.
Try a prompt
Who uses Seedream 4.5
Social content
Lifestyle shots for posts and stories that sit naturally next to your real photos.
Mockups and pitches
Believable people and places for app prototypes, pitch decks and landing page drafts.
Writers and planners
Reference pictures of places and characters for stories, trips and mood boards.
Good to know
- There is no 4K setting for Seedream 4.5. For 4K, use Nano Banana Pro or GPT Image 2.5.
- When a request asks for text inside the picture, Banana Studio runs it on Nano Banana Pro instead, for the same price.
- Small imperfections in the prompt, such as a crooked horizon or a little grain, make results feel more candid.
- Seedream 4.5 is made by ByteDance. Banana Studio is an independent app that offers it and is not affiliated with ByteDance.
- Page reviewed October 25, 2026.
Questions about Seedream 4.5
Why do Seedream 4.5 images look more realistic?
It tends to produce natural skin, believable light and imperfect framing, the things that make a picture read as a real photo. Prompts that name a real camera and a real moment help it further.
How many credits does Seedream 4.5 use?
Seedream 4.5 costs 13 credits at 2K per image. The 7-day introduction ($1.99, 240 credits) covers 18 images, and the Pro plan's 2,200 monthly credits cover about 169 images. The exact price for your settings is shown on the Create button before you start.
Can I edit photos with Seedream 4.5?
Yes, through Change a photo. For some edits, such as combining two photos, adding text or changing a face, Banana Studio runs the request on a Nano Banana model that handles that kind of change better. The price stays the same.
What sizes does Seedream 4.5 make?
Square images are 2048 by 2048 pixels, wide ones 2560 by 1440 and tall ones 1440 by 2560. When you edit a photo, the result can follow the shape of your picture instead.
How should I write a prompt for a realistic photo?
Write it like the caption of a real picture: the subject, the place, the time of day and the camera. Add an imperfection, such as slight motion blur, if you want it to feel candid.
Should I use Seedream 4.5 or Nano Banana Pro?
Use Seedream 4.5 for new, realistic scenes from a prompt. Use Nano Banana Pro for edits that must keep a person or product exactly the same, and for images with words in them.