Best Photorealism SDXL Models on Civitai [Prompts Included]

Let’s cut the BS: most AI-generated “realistic” images still look like they were made by a robot trying too hard. Waxy skin. Glazed eyes. Hands that look like they belong in a horror movie.

But after burning through hundreds of renders, I found the best SDXL models that actually get it right—no caveats, no “well, if you squint…” nonsense. We’re talking portraits so sharp they could fool a DSLR shooter, street scenes with gritty, film-grade texture, and AI faces that don’t look like they’re hiding a dark secret.

If you’re tired of generating “almost real” and want “holy crap, is this AI?” results, these are the best photorealism SDXL models worth your time. Buckle up. The fake photos are about to get too good.

1. epiCRealism XL: Overall best SDXL model for photorealism

Detail	Description
Creator	epinikion
Published	Sep 2, 2024
NSFW Friendly?	Yes
Downloads	398.3k

As of this writing, epiCRealism XL Last FAME is hands down the best SDXL model for photorealism out there. The photos above were generated using this model with a fairly simple prompt. As you can see, epinikion absolutely cooked with this version, showing that SDXL is still a beast to reckon with despite the rise of Flux.

This model is versatile and can be used to generate photorealistic people from diverse ethnicities, landscapes, animals, characters, and much more while maintaining a high level of quality. What sets epiCRealism apart is its unparalleled texture depth, expressive facial accuracy, and near-flawless lighting control.

It’s one of the best I’ve come across for realistic skin rendering, high-end beauty shots, and dramatic editorial photography. It also captures natural micro-expressions, making AI-generated faces feel incredibly lifelike and emotive.

Here’s the prompt for generating a black girl.

analog film photo. hip-hop theme, urban, close-up shot, dynamic portrait of a breathtaking Basotho model with a small smile wearing an oversized baggy and loose tracksuit in a cluttered warehouse, (puffy eyes:1.2), detailed face, stunning beauty, detailed skin, skin texture, skin pores, (freckles:0.9), bling bling, drip drip. Hard light, hard shadows, faded film, desaturated, 35mm photo, grainy, vignette, vintage, Kodachrome, Lomography, stained, highly detailed, found footage

Here’s the negative prompt.

ugly, child, kid, face paint, tattoo, dirty, messy, nude, watermark, monochrome

Here’s the generated image.

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2. RealVisXL: Best photorealism SDXL model for people

Detail	Description
Creator	SG_161222
Published	Sep 2, 2024
NSFW Friendly?	Yes
Downloads	398.3k

RealVis V5 specializes in hyper-detailed realism with cinematic lighting and soft depth of field, producing sharp facial details, expressive eyes, and natural skin textures. It excels at hands, lighting effects, and environmental realism, making it ideal for editorial-style portraits, moody cinematic scenes, and professional-grade AI photography.

In my experience, this top photorealism SDXL model is best suited for professional AI artists, digital photographers, and social media creators who need high-quality photorealistic portraits, fashion shots, and editorial imagery. It’s a great choice for concept artists working on cinematic character designs.

Here’s an image of a parrot generated using this model.

macro shot, cinematic photo of parrot, colorful, dark shot, film grain, extremely detailed

Here’s the negative prompt.

(octane render, render, drawing, anime, bad photo, bad photography:1.3), (worst quality, low quality, blurry:1.2), (bad teeth, deformed teeth, deformed lips), (bad anatomy, bad proportions:1.1), (deformed iris, deformed pupils), (deformed eyes, bad eyes), (deformed face, ugly face, bad face), (deformed hands, bad hands, fused fingers), morbid, mutilated, mutation, disfigured

Here’s the resulting image.

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3. Juggernaut XL: Best photorealism SDXL model for different styles

Detail	Description
Creator	KandooAI
Published	Aug 29, 2024
NSFW Friendly?	Yes
Downloads	918.2k

After testing dozens of SDXL models, I keep coming back to Juggernaut XL for one reason: it’s the most versatile, no-nonsense photorealistic model available. Whether you need studio portraits, street photography, or cinematic scenes, this beast delivers hyper-realistic details without the usual AI quirks. If you want consistency and quality, this is your workhorse.

Juggernaut XL produces sharp, high-fidelity realism with a natural, slightly cinematic touch. Skin textures are flawless, hands are anatomically correct, and lighting is balanced yet dramatic. It shines in professional headshots, environmental portraits, and urban scenes, making it a go-to for lifelike AI generations.

Here’s a prompt I used on this top photorealism SDXL model.

macro photo of a tarantula on the bark of an oak tree

Here’s the resulting AI image.

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4. Realism Engine SDXL: Best photorealistic SDXL model for faces

Detail	Description
Creator	razzz
Published	Jan 10, 2024
NSFW Friendly?	Yes
Downloads	120.5k

Realism Engine SDXL is an older model compared to the others on this list. However, don’t be fooled by its age; this model is still a beast in its own right. In some cases, it beats newer, top-rated models by far. So much so, Real Engine’s loyal fans have stuck with it to this day.

Realism Engine SDXL produces crisp, hyper-detailed images emphasizing natural skin texture, lifelike lighting, and expressive emotions. It particularly excels in portraiture and candid-style shots, handling complex facial structures, hands, and subtle lighting gradients with impressive accuracy.

Here’s a super simple prompt I used on this model.

a 26 year old blonde girl sitting next to a window photorealistic, 8k, close up, face

Here’s the generated image.

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5. DevlishPhotoRealism SDXL: Best photorealism SDXL model for nature

Detail	Description
Creator	Devilmarkus
Published	Jul 24, 2024
NSFW Friendly?	Yes
Downloads	15.6k

When it comes to capturing the raw beauty of nature, landscapes, and living subjects, DevlishPhotoRealism SDXL is a standout. This model excels at hyper-detailed environments, lifelike animals, and expressive human subjects, making it an ideal choice for artists who want to create stunningly realistic, high-fidelity AI-generated imagery.

This model handles natural elements with striking realism, from lush forests and rugged mountains to glassy lakes and dynamic weather conditions. Water reflections, intricate leaf textures, and atmospheric depth feel almost indistinguishable from real photography. Animal fur, feathers, and skin textures are exceptionally detailed, making wildlife portraits vivid and true to life.

Here’s a prompt I used on this model.

a portrait photo of an old ugly witch, in the background is a witch's house in a very dark forest, HDR, intricate details, detailed witch, pumpkins, dark night

Here’s the AI-generated image.

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6. CyberRealistic XL: Best photorealism SDXL model for faces

Detail	Description
Creator	Cyberdelia
Published	Feb 24, 2025
NSFW Friendly?	Yes
Downloads	66.4k

CyberRealistic XL is a top photorealistic SDXL model whose outputs capture a cinematic yet natural style. Faces are impeccably detailed, hands are anatomically correct, and lighting is dynamic. It excels in studio portraits, street photography, and high-fashion shots, with no unnatural plastic-like textures.

This model responds well to simple prompts but thrives with detailed descriptors. Outputs are highly consistent, rarely needing retries. A basic prompt like “portrait of a woman, natural lighting, ultra-detailed skin” works, but adding “RAW photo, 85mm lens, cinematic depth” enhances realism further.

Here’s a simple prompt I used on this model to show how powerful it is.

portrait of an asian man, natural lighting, ultra-detailed skin

Here’s the resulting image.

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7. NightVisionXL: Best photorealism SDXL model for cinema

Detail	Description
Creator	socalguitarist
Published	Jun 17, 2024
NSFW Friendly?	Yes
Downloads	74.6k

NightVisionXL is one of the best photorealism SDXL models because it produces sharp, hyper-realistic images with a cinematic, moody aesthetic. It handles low-light and high-contrast scenes exceptionally well, with flawless skin details, expressive faces, and realistic fabric textures. Ideal for noir portraits, atmospheric street photography, and high-drama fashion shots.

NightVisionXL dominates in low-light photorealism, with unmatched shadow depth, dynamic lighting, and AI face generation. It captures diverse skin tones, micro-expressions, and textures better than most SDXL models, making it perfect for film-inspired and atmospheric AI portraits.

Here’s a prompt used on this model.

3d super close up shot of a woman in flowers with human and flower shaped branches, in the style of medical imaging film., sebastian errazuriz, detailed anatomy, intricate black and white illustrations, michael eastman, rtx on, ballet academia --v 6.0

Here’s the resulting image

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Conclusion: Best Photorealism SDXL Models

Most AI-generated “photorealistic” images still have that uncanny, plastic-fantastic vibe. But after testing dozens of SDXL models, a few standouts actually deliver jaw-dropping, “is-this-even-AI?” realism.

If you want flawless skin, cinematic lighting, and zero wonky hands, stick with:

1. epiCRealism XL (for studio-perfect portraits)

2. RealVisXL (for moody, film-noir drama)

3. Juggernaut XL (all-around hyper-realism)

These models don’t just simulate photorealism—they nail it, whether you’re crafting AI headshots, ad mockups, or next-level concept art.

So pick your weapon. Generate something stupidly realistic. And watch people argue whether your “photo” is even real.