In an image processing method for correcting a target pixel using emphasizing and smoothing components, a microcomputer stores the input image signal into an image memory, and generates the enhancement coefficient k data in the enhancement coefficient table memory using a function with an input/output characteristic whereby the output is a simple increasing value when the input is approximately zero. Using a first difference, which is the difference of the target pixel signal minus the signal of the reference pixel positioned on a first direction, the enhancement coefficient k is obtained by referencing the enhancement coefficient table, and the target pixel is enhanced proportionally to the enhancement coefficient k and the first difference. The target pixel is also gradated or smoothed in proportion to the enhancement coefficient k and the second difference, which is the target pixel signal minus the average of the signals of the second and third reference pixels, which are the reference pixels in the directions perpendicular to the first direction and on opposite sides of the target pixel. The target pixel signal is corrected by repeating this process for each of the reference pixels positioned on the four directions surrounding the target pixel, and the corrected image signal is stored to the image memory. The enhanced image signal is obtained by repeating this process for all input image signals.