In a method for improving the quality, particularly the signal-to-noise ratio, of an image, first image data are subjected to a mathematical operation in the position domain that improves the image quality, with picture elements in the environment of the individual picture element, for each individual picture element of the image to be subjected to the mathematical operation are provided with mutually independent, first weighting factors that have a magnitude dependent on the spatial distance of the respective picture element of the environment from the individual picture element, and with which the mathematical operation is implemented for the individual picture element. Picture elements in the environment of the individual picture element for each individual picture element of the image are additionally provided with mutually independent, second weighting factors that have a magnitude dependent on intensity differences or color differences of the respective picture element of the environment compared to the individual picture element. The method enables an improvement of the image quality with approximately unaltered sharpness and can be realized as a real-time procedure in medical imaging.