Abstract: A image pickup apparatus and a method for providing a reference image thereof are provided. The image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup unit; a storage unit which stores image data captured by the image pickup unit is stored; an image processing unit which generates a preview image of a subject currently captured by the image pickup unit; a controlling unit which selects a reference image from the previously stored image data in the storage unit; and a display which displays the selected reference image together with the preview image. Thus, as the preview image is displayed together with the reference image when taking a photograph, a user is able to compare the preview image with the previously photographed image and take the photograph accordingly.