An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section including an image carrier and a developing device, and a developer recovery mechanism. The developing device includes, a developer carrier, and a developer discharge portion. The image forming section incorporates a developing device employing a first developing method where toner is caused to adhere to the image carrier by a magnetic brush formed on the developer carrier, or a developing device having a toner carrier between the developer carrier and the image carrier, and employing a second developing method where a toner layer is formed on the toner carrier by a magnetic brush formed on the developer carrier, and toner is caused to adhere to the image carrier by the toner layer formed on the toner. These developing devices, in the image forming section, each have a same positional relationship between the developer discharge portion and an image-carrier rotation shaft.