To reduce an image memory required for motion detection.

This image processor is provided with a hierarchical image generation means 1 for turning an input image to a low-order image and repeatedly generating high-order image while reducing it by a prescribed reduction rate in a moving image sequence, a face candidate area detection means 5 for detecting a face candidate area by using one or both of motion information and color information from the high order of hierarchical images and a face area detection means 6 for detecting a face area by using an edge template from the low-order image corresponding to the face candidate area.