The objective of the present study was to clinically evaluate the sensitivity and dynamic range of three digital systems (Sens-A-Ray, CDR, Digora), digitized film and E-speed film. Five objects were submitted to three different kilovoltages and seven exposure times. In order to evaluate the relationship between exposure time and dosage, measurements were made in a dental x-ray unit with an ion chamber, X-ray timer and kVp meter. For each system, 105 radiographs were taken, totalling 525 images, that were evaluated by six trained observers by means of scoring from 0 to 4. The scores attributed to the images for each of the systems were submitted to analysis of variance and Turkey's test. The results showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) with the storage phosphor system producing the wider dynamic range, followed by the digitized film. The CDR system showed the greater sensitivity, followed by the Digora system.