An image processing apparatus and method comprising a reduced image generating unit, a superblock matching unit, a motion vector converting unit, a possible vector selecting unit, a base vector selecting unit, and a macroblock matching unit. The reduced image generating unit generates a reduced image by reducing the size of an image composed of moving picture data. The superblock matching unit calculates a motion vector of each superblock constituting the reduced image. The motion vector converting unit converts the motion vector of each superblock into a possible motion vector common to four macroblocks. For a macroblock of interest, a possible vector selecting unit extracts a motion vector in an adjacent macroblock and possible motion vectors. A base vector determining unit selectively determines a base vector from among the extracted possible vectors. A macroblock matching unit executes block matching in a predetermined search range around the base vector.