Because of their prodigious computing power, modern cell phones are going to lead the way in HDR (basically, the camera takes three "simultaneous" pictures, one being under-exposed and one being over-exposed; then the processor merges the images, taking dark areas from the over-exposed version and light areas from the under-exposed version), but eventually better cameras will have it by default, even if they have to add a specialized processor to do it, because in so many cases that is the only way of getting a truly good picture.
For example, the second picture in davidtltc new "just some pictures" thread is about the best that existing technology can deliver, but I expect that HDR could make it even nicer, since much of the terrain is very bright and much of the train in view is in shadow.