A method for testing image pipelines includes transforming an untransformed captured image multiple times using a plurality of pipelines, thereby generating a plurality of transformed images, and comparing a functional set of metrics associated with each of the plurality of transformed images with a functional set of metrics associated with each image in a ground truth set. From the comparison, a determination is made as to which of the plurality of pipelines generates a transformed image that is functionally closest to an image in the ground truth set.