The image processing method and apparatus acquire input image data from the
image recorded optically, with a taking lens, acquire the information
about the lens used to record the image and perform image processing
schemes on the input image data using the acquired lens information,
provided that the type of the lens used is identified from the acquired
lens information and the intensity of sharpness enhancement of the
corresponding image is, altered in accordance with the identified lens
type. The characteristics of the taking lens may also be acquired from the
lens information and using the obtained lens characteristics as well as
the position information for the recorded image, the input image data is
subjected to aberration correction for correcting the deterioration in
image quality due to the lens characteristics, provided that the
information about the focal length of the taking lens effective at the
time of image recording is additionally used, or image processing schemes
are performed in two crossed directions of the recorded image, or
parameters for correcting aberrations in the imaging plane of the taking
lens are scaled such that they are related to the output image data on a
pixel basis. High-quality prints reproducing high-quality images can be
obtained from original images that were recorded with compact cameras,
digital cameras and other conventional inexpensive cameras using
low-performance lenses.