at step 200 which image data are stored in a cache it is desirable to erase the image data from the cache setting an appropriate value as the predetermined value reduces the probability that the image data of the image file the predetermined value away are displayed again therefore the probability that such data are used is low even if they are held in the cache by creating available space in the cache by erasing such data the display processing proceeds more smoothly for example when a value such that there is always available space in the cache is set as the predetermined value in view of the capacity of the cache steps 160 and 165 are unnecessary so that the display processing time is reduced the image display apparatus of this embodiment is similar to that of the tenth embodiment except the part described below in the image display apparatus of this embodiment before the display processing of fig1 is performed subsequently described image data storage processing is performed in which image data to be browsed are stored in a cache as long as there is available space in the cache therefore in performing the image display processing of fig1 at step 155 it is more frequently determined that image data are present in the cache moreover this embodiment is different from the tenth embodiment in that data for thumbnail display are used as the image data displayed in the browsing mode the fast browsing mode is not provided the outer rotary ring 781 of the rotary operation member 78 has functions.