An image processing system utilizing block selection processing. According to the system, pixel data of an image is input and block selection processing is performed on the input pixel data to determine types of pixels within the image. It is then determined, based on the block selection processing, if a pixel is in an object area of the image and, if the pixel is determined to be in an object area of the image, the pixel is processed. Such processing may include detecting a proximity of the pixel to an edge, detecting a chromaticity of the pixel and detecting a width of a character in which the pixel is included.