A color copying apparatus for constantly obtaining a high-quality print irrespective of a change in film characteristics due to deterioration is disclosed. A reference image recorded on the film is photometrically measured to determine film characteristic data. After transformed values of an original image have been stored normalizing conditions are determined, and a transformation formula or table is generated in correspondence with a film type. Pixels are then selected from the original image set in the printing position, and a characteristic amount of the image is calculated and made to correspond to print characteristic data. An abnormal frame is then determined, and an exposure amount is determined by setting coefficients of an exposure calculating formula. Also disclosed is a color copying apparatus for constantly obtaining a high-quality print on the basis of the density of a reference image and the density of a print frame. A reference image recorded on the film is photometrically measured to determine film characteristic data. After transformed values have been stored, normalizing conditions are determined, and corrected film characteristic data is determined in correspondence with a film type. Pixels are then selected from the original image, and a characteristic amount of the image is calculated to determine a reference density for controlling the exposure of the print frame. An exposure amount is determined so as to effect exposure control.