1. An image filtering method for processing a color channel of Bayer pattern data, comprising the steps of: identifying a target pixel in the Bayer pattern data; identifying, within the Bayer pattern data, a plurality of neighboring pixels to the target pixel having a common color channel; comparing the common color channel target and neighboring pixels; and determining a filtering for the target pixel based on the common color channel target and neighboring pixels comparison wherein: the determined filtering resists resisting change in the target pixel value when the comparison indicates that the target and neighboring pixels are different; and the determined filtering encourages encouraging change in the target pixel value when the comparison indicates that the target and neighboring pixels are similar.