An image processing apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises an image input device, an external memory, and an encoder. The image input device captures pictures, and the external memory stores the captured pictures. The encoder further comprises a moving picture compression unit, a still picture compression unit, and a recording unit. The moving picture compression unit and the still picture compression unit share the external memory and work simultaneously when at least one of the captured pictures is to be stored in both video and still image format. The recording unit records the compressed pictures.