Image reading apparatus

An image reading apparatus comprising:

• (A) reading means for reading an original image;
• (B) first density converting means for changing a reading pixel density per unit area of said reading means;
• (C) second density converting means for changing the reading pixel density per unit area of said reading means by a method different from that in said first density converting means;
• and
• (D) selecting means for selecting either one of said first and second density converting means in accordance with whether a priority is given to an image quality or a priority is given to a reading time.

An image reading method comprising:

• (A) a reading step of reading an original image;
• (B) a first magnifying step of changing a reading magnification of said reading step;
• (C) a second magnifying step of changing the reading magnification of said reading step by a method different from that in said first magnifying step;
• and
• (D) a selecting step of selecting either one of said first and second magnifying steps in accordance with whether a priority is given to an image quality or a priority is given to a reading time.

An image reading method comprising:

• (A) a reading step of reading an original image;
• (B) a first density converting step of changing a reading pixel density per unit area of said reading step;
• (C) a second density converting step of changing the reading pixel density per unit area of said reading step by a method different from that in said first density converting step;
• and
• (D) a selecting step of selecting either one of said first and second density converting steps in accordance with whether a priority is given to an image quality or a priority is given to a reading time.