The 2024 image timeline
15 March – 1 August 2024
5 models · 4 providersClarity, Flux, Midjourney and Topaz Labs shipped 5 image models between 15 March 2024 and 1 August 2024. All 5 have a spec page. Cheapest complete job in the window: 1 credit on Flux Schnell. Highest output in it: 8K on Clarity Crystal Upscaler.
- First edit image model in the catalog — Clarity Crystal Upscaler.
- First image to image model in the catalog — Topaz Upscale Image.
- First text to image model in the catalog — Midjourney Niji 6.
- First 8K output in the catalog — Clarity Crystal Upscaler.
| Model | Built by | Credits per job | Max output | Aspect ratios |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarity Crystal UpscalerClarity's Crystal upscaler — sharpens and enlarges images while regenerating fine texture rather than stretching pixels. Rescues… | Clarity | 2 credits | 8K | — |
| Midjourney Niji 6Midjourney Niji 6 anime and illustration-focused image generation optimized for anime, manga, and cartoon styles | Midjourney | 8 credits | — | 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 3:4, 2:3 |
| Flux ProProfessional Flux model for commercial use | Flux | 4 credits | 4K | 1:1, 16:9, 3:2, 2:3, 4:5, 5:4 |
| Flux SchnellFast image generation model with high-quality outputs and efficient processing | Flux | 1 credit | — | 21:9, 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 1:1 |
| Topaz Upscale ImageTopaz Labs' industry-standard image upscaler — detail-faithful enlargement to production resolution with strong artifact and… | Topaz Labs | 7 credits | 8K | — |
2 October – 25 November 2024
4 models · 3 providersFlux, Luma and Recraft shipped 4 image models between 2 October 2024 and 25 November 2024. Of the 4, 3 have a spec page and 1 is folded into a parent model's page as tier or mode variants. Cheapest complete job in the window: 1 credit on Luma Photon Flash. Highest output in it: 4K on Flux 1.1 Pro.
- New names on the roster: Recraft, Luma.
| Model | Built by | Credits per job | Max output | Aspect ratios |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flux 1.1 ProProfessional grade Flux model with enhanced features | Flux | 4 credits | 4K | 1:1, 16:9, 3:2, 2:3, 4:5, 5:4 |
| Recraft V3 ImageRecraft V3 — design-first image generation with clean vector-ready output, controlled brand styles and dependable typography. The… | Recraft | 4 credits | 4K | 16:9, 4:3, 1:1, 3:4, 9:16 |
| Flux Pro UltravariantUltra-high quality image generation with superior detail | Flux | 5 credits | 4K | 1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 4:3, 3:4, 16:9 |
| Luma Photon FlashLuma's Photon Flash — the speed tier of the Photon image family. Near-instant photorealistic stills at the lowest credit tier in… | Luma | 1 credit | 4K | 1:1, 3:4, 4:3, 9:16, 16:9, 9:21 |
New AI image models by month in 2024
5 of the twelve months carried a image release; the busiest window was 15 March – 1 August 2024, with 5. Each month links to the launch window where it starts.
Who shipped image in 2024
Flux (4), Clarity (1) and Luma (1) led on volume. SKUs, not quality — four tiers of one model count four times.
| Provider | Models | Spec pages | First | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flux | 4 | 3 | 1 August 2024 | 6 November 2024 |
| Clarity | 1 | 1 | 15 March 2024 | 15 March 2024 |
| Luma | 1 | 1 | 25 November 2024 | 25 November 2024 |
| Midjourney | 1 | 1 | 7 June 2024 | 7 June 2024 |
| Recraft | 1 | 1 | 30 October 2024 | 30 October 2024 |
| Topaz Labs | 1 | 1 | 1 August 2024 | 1 August 2024 |
What 2024 moved
Firsts, measured against every image model released before them. “New name on the roster” is the provider label in the catalog, not the company — one lab can hold several labels.
- 15 March – 1 August 2024
- First edit image model in the catalog — Clarity Crystal Upscaler.
- First image to image model in the catalog — Topaz Upscale Image.
- First text to image model in the catalog — Midjourney Niji 6.
- First 8K output in the catalog — Clarity Crystal Upscaler.
- 2 October – 25 November 2024
- New names on the roster: Recraft, Luma.
Dates are each model’s released_at value, walked in order and grouped until a window held 3 or more. Credits are what one complete generation costs per the model’s own price matrix; where it states none, the headline rate is shown and the model sits out the cheapest-in-window line.
Other release years
Frequently asked questions
How many AI image models were released in 2024?+
Versely's catalog carries 9 image models with a 2024 release date, from 6 providers, arriving in 2 launch windows between 15 March 2024 and 25 November 2024.
What was the biggest AI image launch of 2024?+
15 March – 1 August 2024, with 5 image models from Clarity, Flux, Midjourney and Topaz Labs. All 5 have a spec page. Cheapest complete job in the window: 1 credit on Flux Schnell. Highest output in it: 8K on Clarity Crystal Upscaler.
Which company released the most AI image models in 2024?+
Flux, with 4 of the 9 image models dated 2024 — first on 1 August 2024, most recently on 6 November 2024. Clarity shipped 1, Luma shipped 1, Midjourney shipped 1.
What changed in AI image generation in 2024?+
Measured against everything the catalog carried before it: First edit image model in the catalog — Clarity Crystal Upscaler; First image to image model in the catalog — Topaz Upscale Image; First text to image model in the catalog — Midjourney Niji 6.
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