Abstract: A system and method of enhancing dynamic range in images is disclosed that increases the contrast in the resulting image without requiring an increase in the dynamic range of the analog-to-digital converter used to convert the analog image signals to digital information. The system and method disclosed achieve this advantageous result by providing per-pixel gain control circuitry and per-pixel gain selection circuitry. The analog image signal range is segmented into a number (N) of multiple levels, where N is selected to be the desired level of enhancement. Multiple analog gain (G1) levels and multiple digital gain (G2) levels are also provided. The analog gain (G1) is selected for each image pixel based upon the segment in which that pixel falls so that the signal levels may be increased for each segment to utilize the full range (R) of the analog-to-digital converter.