A system and method for high dynamic range (HDR) imaging includes writing a first, second, and third sub-frame to a memory at a first, second, and third readout time, respectively, the first, second, and third sub-frame being generated by a same first sub-array of the array of image pixels. Subsequent to the third readout time, the first, second, and third sub-frames are sent to an image signal processor. Also subsequent to the third readout time, a fourth sub-frame is sent to the image sensor. The fourth sub-frame is generated by the same first sub-array of the array of image pixels. The fourth sub-frame bypasses the memory by being sent from an analog-to-digital converter to the image signal processor without being written to the memory.