A method of encoding an image includes checking a storage status of a buffer storing encoded data, at every data unit equal to or less than at least one macroblock; rearranging information about a macroblock so that encoded data of the macroblock is reduced, based on the storage status of the buffer; and storing data encoded by using data of the image and the information about the macroblock, which is rearranged based on the storage status of the buffer, in the buffer.