Patent ID: 8456544

Claim:
An image processing apparatus for processing RGB Bayer array image data obtained from an image pickup device comprising an RGB Bayer array, the apparatus comprising: a noise reducing section for applying noise reduction to each of R-channel, G-channel, and B-channel of the RGB Bayer array image data with a first noise reduction amount, thereby calculating first noise-reduced RGB Bayer array image data, and also applying the noise reduction to at least the G-channel with a second noise reduction amount smaller than the first noise reduction amount, thereby calculating second noise-reduced G-channel image data; a color difference calculating section for performing interpolation of a G pixel at each position of an R pixel and at each position of a B pixel based on the first noise-reduced RGB Bayer array image data, and calculating first noise-reduced color difference data (R−G) at each position of the R pixel and first noise-reduced color difference data (B−G) at each position of the B pixel, using the interpolated G pixels; and an RGB calculating section for calculating R image data, G image data and B image data at respective pixel positions, based on the first noise-reduced color difference data (R−G), the first noise-reduced color difference data (B−G), and the second noise-reduced G-channel image data.