A method is provided for interpolating a color image component. A Bayer pattern is extracted from an optical signal obtained by capturing an image of an object. An arithmetic average of values of red (R) or blue (B) components vertically or horizontally neighboring at least one green (G) position of the extracted Bayer pattern is computed, and an R or B component is interpolated into the at least one G position. A horizontal difference value and a vertical difference value are computed between G, B, or R component values of G positions neighboring at least one R or B position after interpolating the R or B component into the at least one G position. A preset threshold value is compared with an absolute value of a resulting value obtained by subtracting the vertical difference value from the horizontal difference value. When the absolute value is greater than the threshold value, a G, B, or R component is interpolated into the at least one R or B position using an arithmetic average of G, B, or R component values of horizontally or vertically neighboring G positions associated with a smaller difference value of the horizontal and vertical difference values. When the absolute value is less than the threshold value, the G, B, or R component is interpolated into the at least one R or B position using a median technique.