An image processor, also known as an image processing engine, image processing unit (IPU), or image signal processor (ISP), is a type of media processor or specialized digital signal processor (DSP) used for image processing, in digital cameras or other devices.
Image processors often employ parallel computing even with SIMD or MIMD technologies to increase speed and efficiency. The digital image processing engine can perform a range of tasks.
To increase the system integration on embedded devices, often it is a system on a chip with multi-core processor architecture.
Nikon EXPEED, a system on a chip including an image processor, video processor, digital signal processor (DSP) and a 32-bit microcontroller controlling the chip
Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit is Canon Inc.'s name for a family of signal processing and control units for digital cameras and camcorders. DIGIC units are used as image processors by Canon in its own digital imaging products. Several generations of DIGICs exist, and are distinguished by a version number suffix.
Digic 4 from Canon SX30
Front view of Canon PowerShot A720 IS
DIGIC III in Canon Powershot A3100
DIGIC 4 on a Canon PowerShot SD1200IS.