Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for a systems and methods for intra-shot dynamic LIDAR detector gain. One example method my include emitting, by an optical ranging system at a first time, a first light pulse. The example method may also include increasing, after the first time, a sensitivity of a photodetector of the optical ranging system from a first sensitivity at the first time to a second sensitivity at a second time. The example method may also include decreasing the sensitivity of the photodetector of the optical ranging system from the second sensitivity at third time to the first sensitivity at a fourth time, wherein the fourth time is after the photodetector receives return light based on the first light pulse. The example method may also include emitting, by the optical ranging system at the fourth time, a second light pulse.