Patent ID: 8861022

Claim:
An image processing apparatus comprising: a display; an input unit for receiving an operation by a user for user setting; an image processor for image-processing first image data in accordance with said user setting to generate second, composite image data, wherein said image-processing includes image synthesis processing of composing third image data on said first image data to generate said second, composite image data; and a controller for providing a preview display on said display, wherein said controller includes; a first image generator for generating first preview image data from said first image data, wherein said first image generator is configured to generate said first preview image data by changing a screen appearance of a portion of an area on said first image data corresponding to an area in which said third image data is to be composed, and for displaying a first preview image on said display, based on the generated first preview image data, while said image-processing is being performed, and a second image generator for generating second preview image data corresponding to said second, composite image data generated by said image processing, and for updating said preview display on said display from said first preview image to a second preview image based on the generated second preview image data, and wherein said controller is configured to cause said display to display, in addition to said preview display, an indication that generation of said second preview image data is in processing during at least a part of a period between the time said first preview image is displayed and the time the displayed first preview image is updated to said second preview image.