An image comparing apparatus for comparing a particular inspect image with a search image containing a subject shown on the inspect image, including a search-image supplying unit storing therein a plurality of search images, an image acquisition unit acquiring information characterizing the subject image, the image acquisition unit selectively extracting at least one search image from the search image supplying unit according to the acquired information, and an image specifying unit specifying a particular search image by comparing the inspect image with each of the search-images extracted by the image acquisition unit.