This disclosure pertains to systems, methods, and computer readable media for extending the dynamic range of images using an operation referred to herein as “Adaptive Auto Exposure” (AAE). According to the embodiments disclosed herein, the AAE-enabled higher dynamic range capture operations are accomplished without blending multiple or bracketed exposure captures (as is the case with traditional high dynamic range (HDR) photography). AAE also enables high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) rendering when scene content allows for it and/or certain highlight clipping is tolerable. Decisions with regard to preferred AE strategies may be based, at least in part, on one or more of the following: sensor characteristics; scene content; and pre-defined preferences under different scenarios.