1. An image processing method using an image processing device which detects a specific detecting object from an image including a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged pixels, characterized by comprising the steps of: setting a plurality of candidate areas that become areas of a detecting object in the image; comparing characteristic values of the pixels inside the candidate areas with characteristic values of the pixels outside the candidate areas, for each of the set candidate areas; and detecting an area suitable to the detecting object out of a plurality of the set candidate areas on the basis of the comparison result.