Provided is an image encoding method including extracting feature points from a picture; generating at least two clusters by performing feature point clustering on the extracted feature points; determining at least two split sections in the picture, the at least two split sections respectively corresponding to the at least two clusters; parallel-encoding the at least two split sections; and generating a bitstream including information about the at least two split sections. A size and a shape of each of the at least two split sections may be individually determined.