Vintage & Retro Comparison

GPT-Image 1.5 vs Z-Image Turbo

Film grain, retro aesthetic, and nostalgic filters — see how these models compare with real AI-generated outputs.

Full comparison

Compare Models (select 4)

2/4 selected

Vintage & retro images live or die by the details: believable film grain, era-accurate color shifts, gentle halation, and the kind of “imperfect” texture that feels authentic rather than over-filtered. On Influencer Studio, both GPT-Image 1.5 and Z-Image Turbo can produce nostalgic visuals, but they approach the look from different strengths.

Below is a focused comparison on how each model handles classic film aesthetics—grain structure, retro palettes, aged prints, and nostalgic filters—plus what you can expect for speed, cost, and consistency when iterating on a retro art direction.

Vintage & Retro — Side-by-Side Results

Prompt

"A 22–28-year-old woman with shoulder-length wavy dark hair in a vintage band tee and high-waisted light-wash jeans holds her phone slightly above eye level for a casual selfie, looking near the camera with a half-smile while balancing an iced coffee in the other hand. She’s sitting by a sunny café window with street reflections behind her, natural midday light on her face, with 90s disposable-camera vibes: soft flash feel, film grain, faded warm colors, subtle light leak in the corner. Keep it candid and imperfect like an Instagram story frame, slightly off-center composition with a little motion blur."

Feature Comparison

FeatureGPT-Image 1.5Z-Image Turbo
ProviderOpenAITongyi Lab (Alibaba)
Subcategoriestext-to-imagetext-to-image, image-to-image
1080p / 2k ModeYesYes
4k ModeNoNo
NSFW RatingStrictLow
Aspect Ratio1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 3:4, 4:31:1, 16:9, 9:16, 3:4, 4:3
Starting Price8 credits8 credits

GPT-Image 1.5 Strengths

  • High-fidelity vintage scenes with strong prompt adherence (era cues, wardrobe, props, lighting)
  • More convincing “film” texture when you describe grain type, softness, and lens character in detail
  • Better at complex retro compositions (busy streetscapes, period interiors) without losing coherence
  • Handles nuanced nostalgic color grading (faded pastels, warm highlights, muted blacks) with finer control
  • Flexible quality options (8/16/32 credits) for quick drafts vs premium, print-ready retro renders

Z-Image Turbo Strengths

  • Ultra-fast iteration for testing multiple retro directions (palettes, grain intensity, poster styles)
  • Cost-effective at a flat 8 credits per image for steady volume production
  • Image-to-image support for applying a retro makeover to an existing composition or layout
  • LoRA support for steering toward specific vintage sub-styles (e.g., 70s magazine, 90s disposable camera)
  • Great for rapid A/B testing of nostalgic filters and variations during concepting

Verdict

If your priority is the most authentic-looking vintage finish—especially when you need detailed scenes and tightly controlled era cues—GPT-Image 1.5 is the stronger choice. Its prompt adherence and fidelity make it easier to dial in film grain character, subtle fade, and period-accurate styling without the image drifting off-brief.

If speed, cost predictability, and fast experimentation matter most, Z-Image Turbo is ideal for iterating on retro looks at scale. Its image-to-image and LoRA support also make it a practical option for transforming existing visuals into a consistent nostalgic aesthetic quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Try Both Models Free

Sign up and get credits to test GPT-Image 1.5, Z-Image Turbo, and all our other AI models for vintage & retro.

Join Influencer Studio Today

Start creating amazing AI-generated content for your brand