To capture an HDR (High Dynamic Range) photo, typically what a camera will do is to take several photos at different light exposure levels.
These pictures will then be "combined" and made into a picture with the level of exposure and color processing required to make an HDR picture.
Recently, Canon has shown off their latest sensor that is reportedly capable of taking HDR photos with just one shot. This sensor is one inch in size and can take 12.6MP photos.
How this sensor works is that it is divided into 736 areas that will take pictures at different light exposure levels. Each part of this sensor can modify the light exposure required to take a picture that is neither too bright nor too dark and maintain details such as sharpness and color processing.
In the meantime, this sensor is also paired with an image processor to process images quickly. Canon says that since this sensor is capable of taking a single photo with different levels of light exposure, it also helps in reducing the size of the photo taken.
Canon also said that initially, this sensor was developed for use in the industrial sector, but found that its use can also be utilized in the consumer industry as well.
For now it is not known when Canon will start introducing this sensor into their cameras.