Originally posted by stevebrot Film or digital? Most of the digital P&S are very quiet if you turn off the fake shutter sound. For film cameras, I would suggest any of the non-interchangeable lens rangefinder cameras. They had leaf shutters that make even a Leica sound like an unmuffled Harley.
Film cameras like the Hexar AF when the hidden "stealth" mode is used it possessed the quietest AF and shutter system I have ever used, and the Hexar AF also had the quietest motorised film advance of any camera I have ever used. Which I have to admit was a feature that unnerved me a little; I actually had to look at the frame counter to make sure it had wound on, most cameras of that era that had automatic film winders you get a small vibration as feedback that the film had wound on...you didn't get that with the hexar - it was just dead
silent. I have to say overall it was even quieter than my Leica M3* - on my M3 the shutter cocking/film advance made noise as did the shutter itself however the higher pitched stealthy "snick" sound unlike modern DSLR's which have to move the mirror out of the way before the shutter does anything.
*though to be fair, my M3 is a bit of a family heirloom which has only been serviced by Leica twice in 50 years.