In an image processing apparatus which performs an error diffusion process
to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and
outputs a result of the error diffusion process, the process result from
a first error diffusion unit performing the error diffusion process based
on a density value of a first density component included in the plural
density components or the process result from a second error diffusion
unit performing the error diffusion process based on the density value of
the first density component and a density value of at least one density
component included in other density components is selected according to a
predetermined condition. Thus, even in an image process is performed to a
larger number of gradations, a high-speed process can be achieved with
simple structure, and the error diffusion process can be effectively
performed to a shift of dot apply positions.