Image processing apparatus configured to perform edge preserving smoothing and image processing method thereof

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• a processor configured to
• generate a low-resolution image comprising a second pixel from an input image comprising first pixels, the second pixel corresponding to the first pixels;
• and
• perform edge preserving smoothing on the input image using a value of the second pixel, wherein the value of the second pixel is adjusted using a characteristic value of the first pixels.

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor configured to
• generate a low-resolution image comprising a second pixel from an input image comprising first pixels, the second pixel corresponding to the first pixels;
• and
• perform edge preserving smoothing on the input image using a value of the second pixel,
• wherein a quality of edge preserving smoothing is enhanced by adjusting the value of the second pixel based on a characteristic of edge pixels.