What's actual difference between larger cameras in public vs. a pocket camera/phone?

[GHKAM]

You see posts on forums all the time about photographers stating how people in public are "less intimidated" or "more comfortable" when shooting with a small, pocket-sized camera versus a large DSLR camera to take "street photography".

I have a medium-sized camcorder that I am reluctant to bring outside and use around town because of anticipated discomfort from the general public, whether real or just expected.

The thing is, everybody is walking around with a camera/video camera in their pocket in their phone. The end result, whether walking around with a gigantic, shoulder-mounted camcorder or a pocket-sized ELPH Powershot, iPhone is still a video or picture either way.

I'm not understanding why things are like this, at this point in time. To clarify: I'm not blaming people if they do feel uncomfortable being filmed in public. What I am puzzled by is, if someone in public sees someone taking street photography with a tiny, but visible pocket cam/and knows the end result will be a picture or video - why would they feel any differently by someone holding a larger DSLR in public - with the same, end result?

Furthermore, people are constantly and visibly taking pictures in public with ubiqutous phones.

 

[rob norton]

People think a larger camera is shooting something more professional. When shooting in public, the question I get asked most is "What's this for?".

The smaller the set up, the less people will ask. In a documentary/public setting, a DSLR with L lens draws attention to itself.

Anything larger than a DSLR i.e. DSLR + any accessory says you're shooting a dedicated and supposedly important project rather than recording what you ate for breakfast then uploading it to facebook.

Anything larger than a c100 and people think you're shooting the latest Transformers. People think the shoot will make it to TV or will be seen by many and either want to be in the shot or want to make sure they're not.

 

[Jordan_S]

Although largely a determiner of whether people will react, usually negatively, to a camera or not, size is not the only issue. Style is as well.

Since I started shooting with a Fujifilm X100, I've found that almost no one seems to care what I'm photographing.

Typical Canon 7D with 24-105 reactions:
"What are you, the paparazzi?"
"What are you photographing?"
"Please don't photograph me."

Typical X100 reactions:
Disinterest.
"Oh, is that a film camera? Cool."

I don't think you can equate small pocket cameras with cell phones' cameras because people know (even though this is rapidly changing) that video/pictures shot on a cell phone can quickly and easily wind up online. So people are more wary of them. However, they are also more forgiving because they are ubiquitous.

Why does size play a role in people's reactions? Because it (seems to) identify the shooter's intentions.

 

[Blit]

Hi

I find that a big difference is stills camera vs video camera. video which is continuous and with sound is more intimidating than if they think you are grabbing a snapshot. For walk-around stealth shooting I use a Canon s100, soon to be a Canon G7 X. In and out of pocket and arouses the least attention. DSLR comes next if it is just the camera and lens. Then video camera by size and how kitted out it is. Sticks also arouse attention. Using crappy sticks arouse less attention. Monopole is pretty invisible. How you hold a camera and carry yourself is big also. I use a rag to adjust my little Canon S100 sitting on a table. Rag sets the tilt. Table is like a tripod. Stealth shooting is fun. All the stealth in the world won't clear your copyrights if you need them though. Best to stick to fun or otherwise get those releases (sometimes you CAN steal a shot). Just my experience.