An image processing apparatus and image processing method generate a motion picture with smooth zooming changes when a user manually operates a zoom lens while the motion picture is being captured. The image capturing apparatus includes a recording unit in which a plurality of images that are captured while a zoom lens, which enlarges or reduces images of an object, is manually operated by a user, and in which focal lengths corresponding to the plurality of images are recorded; a focal length calculating unit that calculates smoothing focal lengths based on the recorded focal lengths for smooth chronological variations of focal lengths; and an image generating unit that generates smoothing images having a viewing angle corresponding to the smoothing focal length based on the smoothing focal length, the recorded focal lengths, and the recorded image data.