An image processing method includes the steps of linearizing a Color Filter Array image having non-linear RGB pixel data to generate a linearized image, the step of linearizing using at least one lookup table for each of the three RGB colors, the step of linearizing further performed using an address for current RGB pixel data being read to index the lookup tables and incrementing the addresses for the RGB pixel data; generating a histogram for each of three RGB image color planes of the linearized image data, and storing at least a high and a low threshold for each histogram; planarizing the linearized image using the high and the low thresholds to generate a planarized linear RGB image; and transforming the planarized linear RGB image from planarized linear RGB form to L*a*b* form. The step of transforming the planarized linear RGB image from planarized linear RGB form to L*a*b* form performs additional steps of white balancing, range expansion, resampling, color conversion, and sharpening. The additional steps read and write to a plurality of buffers such that the additional steps are performed in parallel.