Originally posted by Basset I've read a lot by street photographers about the value of having a smaller, more discrete camera, and the micro 4/3 cameras like the E-PL# and E-P3 have caught my attention.
I think it helps for the camera not to look too serious. However, I've done street photography with an Olympus OM-1, an Olympus E-1 (big, but quiet like the K-5), an Olympus E-620, a Pentax K100D, a Pentax K10D, a Konica Hexar AF, and a Fuji X100. In practice, I don't think there is much difference. In fact, although on paper the X100 and the Hexar should be the best street shooters, I preferred the K100D, the OM-1, and the E-620.
The photographer being discrete is more important than the type of camera. With a larger camera, using a hand grip, like the Hakuba LH hand strap, and only raising the camera to your eye to take the shot can help. Confidence and lack of hesitation are also important, I think. I've found that if I just take the photo and don't project uncertainty, there's rarely a reaction. (All that said, I don't consider myself to be more than an average street photographer.)
I just bought a K-5 and a 35mm f/2.4, Turns out that that kit weighs about the same as the K100D with the FA 35, f/2, a combo that I liked a lot for street and candid shooting.
Jeff