The present technology relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image pickup apparatus that enable image data to be compressed using distance information.An image processing apparatus includes an image processing unit that divides an image area of a predetermined image into at least two areas on the basis of distance information obtained by a distance measurement sensor, and executes image processing on at least one of the two areas of the image such that image qualities of the two areas differ. The present technology is applicable to, for example, an image pickup apparatus and the like.