ShimmerPicGPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
Sunburst is the precision model of the GPT Image 2.5 pair: built for premium visual work that benefits from tighter control across edits, at the cost of longer generation times. On ShimmerPic it costs exactly the same credits as Flare.
What GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst is for
OpenAI describes Sunburst as offering "an extra level of precision for detailed creative work with longer generation times", built for "premium visual workflows that benefit from tighter control across edits", such as "production-ready campaign creative or polished product imagery".
- Campaign and product hero images where texture and detail carry the picture
- Layouts with many elements — maps, collages, posters with several text blocks
- Multi-step editing where each pass must keep everything else stable
- The final render after you have explored directions on Flare
In our side-by-side runs Sunburst added more detail per element and produced more finished layouts, but it is the slower of the two. Since both models cost the same credits here, the only price you pay for Sunburst is time.
What changed in GPT Image 2.5
GPT Image 2.5 was released by OpenAI on September 8, 2026 as two API models, Flare and Sunburst. Both carry the same generation improvements over GPT Image 2: sharper details, more natural lighting and richer textures, better preservation of the subjects in reference photos, more reliable multi-turn editing, and up to 50% lower latency.
Source: OpenAI, "Introducing ChatGPT Images 2.5". ShimmerPic is an independent tool and is not affiliated with OpenAI.
Sunburst output from our comparison runs
Same prompt on both models, one run each at 1:1, 2K, Standard. These are the Sunburst results; the full pairs are on the comparison page.
What Sunburst costs on ShimmerPic
| Credits per image | 1K | 2K | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3 | 6 | 12 |
| High | 12 | 24 | 40 |
Credits come from one-time packs from $9 or monthly and annual plans; see pricing.
How to use Sunburst here
- Start from a blank prompt or pick one from the prompt library.
- Choose Sunburst in the model dropdown, then a ratio (1:1, 4:5, 3:2, 2:3, 16:9, 9:16), resolution (1K, 2K, 4K) and Standard or High quality.
- Add up to three reference photos if the prompt needs them, then generate. Results are private until you download or share them.
Questions about GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
Is GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst free to use on ShimmerPic?
Every new account gets 6 free credits, which is two 1K images on Sunburst at Standard quality with a short prompt. After that, credits are bought outright or included in a monthly or annual plan. There is no unlimited tier.
Why would I ever use Flare if Sunburst costs the same?
Speed. Sunburst has longer generation times by design. When you are still deciding on a direction, Flare lets you try more versions in the same time; Sunburst is for the version you intend to keep.
Does Sunburst support reference photos?
Yes. Both models accept up to three reference images, each up to 10 MB and 4,096 px on the long side. Each reference adds 3 credits to the image.