The image processing apparatus includes a candidate image acquisition unit acquiring candidate images for use in creating a composite image, a processed image determination unit determining about whether candidate images are unprocessed original images or processed images, an image count determination unit determining about whether or not the number of original images included in the candidate images is equal to or greater than a threshold value set in advance based on the determination result by the processed image determination unit, and a use image determination unit which determines when the number of original images is equal to or greater than the threshold value, only the original images are used in creating the composite image and determines when the number of original images is less than the threshold value, the original images and the processed images are used in creating the composite image or stops the creation of the composite image.