An image processing apparatus comprising: an image scaler for scaling a camera output image so as to generate a viewing image corresponding to the camera output image; a buffer arranged for buffering the camera output image as candidate capture image; a multiplexer arranged for multiplexing outputs of the image scaler and the buffer; an image processor arranged for processing multiplexed images corresponding to the multiplexed outputs of the image scaler and the buffer; a demultiplexer arranged for demultiplexing an output of the image processor so as to supply the processed viewing image as a preview image to a display unit ; a codec arranged for encoding the camera output image processed by the image processor and output by the demultiplexer into a capture image; and a controller configured to: in a preview mode, generate the processed viewing images for display as preview images on the display unit and buffer candidate capture images in the buffer, wherein in the preview mode a capture image is not stored in the storage unit; and in a capture mode in response to a capture request, controlling the multiplexer and the demultiplexer in a time divisional manner within one frame duration such that the image processor processes the viewing image to be displayed on the display unit and the camera output image retrieved among the buffered candidate capture images sequentially within the frame duration, wherein the camera output image processed by the image processor is processed by the codec to generate a capture image, and storing the capture image in the storage unit. an image scaler for scaling a camera output image so as to generate a viewing image corresponding to the camera output image; a buffer arranged for buffering the camera output image as candidate capture image; a multiplexer arranged for multiplexing outputs of the image scaler and the buffer; an image processor arranged for processing multiplexed images corresponding to the multiplexed outputs of the image scaler and the buffer; a demultiplexer arranged for demultiplexing an output of the image processor so as to supply the processed viewing image as a preview image to a display unit ; a codec arranged for encoding the camera output image processed by the image processor and output by the demultiplexer into a capture image; and a controller configured to: in a preview mode, generate the processed viewing images for display as preview images on the display unit and buffer candidate capture images in the buffer, wherein in the preview mode a capture image is not stored in the storage unit; and in a capture mode in response to a capture request, controlling the multiplexer and the demultiplexer in a time divisional manner within one frame duration such that the image processor processes the viewing image to be displayed on the display unit and the camera output image retrieved among the buffered candidate capture images sequentially within the frame duration, wherein the camera output image processed by the image processor is processed by the codec to generate a capture image, and storing the capture image in the storage unit. in a preview mode, generate the processed viewing images for display as preview images on the display unit and buffer candidate capture images in the buffer, wherein in the preview mode a capture image is not stored in the storage unit; and in a capture mode in response to a capture request, controlling the multiplexer and the demultiplexer in a time divisional manner within one frame duration such that the image processor processes the viewing image to be displayed on the display unit and the camera output image retrieved among the buffered candidate capture images sequentially within the frame duration, wherein the camera output image processed by the image processor is processed by the codec to generate a capture image, and storing the capture image in the storage unit. <EOS>