Better cameras can be worse at getting the shot. For instance a professional film SLR with a 24-70 f2.8 lens may be the most flexible and accurate film tool for a variety of situations, but its size, noise and professional associations can render it the least suitable social photography tool. By contrast a beaten up and amateur looking point and shoot can put people at ease by suggesting its user is an inoffensive and possibly incompetent snap-shooter.
All cameras attract attention, but some attract more of the wrong type than others.