Big camera, little lens

[charjohncarter]

You are definitely right: on the left a non street camera, or the right a F/1.8 on a P3n:

 

[Rico]

... But, put a small fixed focal-length lens on them and you have a relatively unobtrusive camera.

Most of these small, slower lenses are economy lenses, not producing the highest image quality. But, outdoors, on the street, you can stop them down. ...

Big camera, little lens: we can do that.

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Shown above is Canon 1Ds w/Elmar 90 3-element in Visoflex configuration. Street scene shot on a tripod @ f/8, 4sec. Unobtrusive in a relative sense!

 

[jsrockit]

I like small cameras with big lenses...

 

[Bill Pierce]

I have to confess that, although I use the 50/1.8 Canon stopped down as a small “street lens,” when I need a higher speed lens I often use the 50/2 Summicron R wide open on my DSLR's. It’s almost exactly the same size as the Canon lens - just a lot heavier.

 

[shadowfox]

...not sure about that.
Wait until it falls from a table on a wooden floor. Just lost my Sigma DP1 this way.
No signs of damage on the body and lens, but the screen stays pink!
This has been my 3rd digital (not cheap!)compact that died from impact
my film gear (and probably my K100d) would laugh about!

Thomas
(sorry for imperfect English)

Thomas, no camera is immune to a drop from a table to a wooden floor
Unless it's made out of rubber.