Equipment

The Most Rented Point and Shoot Cameras from the Past Year

Published March 9, 2023

Several years ago, it would have been a safe bet to assume that point-and-shoot cameras would be a thing of the past by 2023. And it makes sense, mobile phone cameras have improved significantly over the years, closing the gap between the two platforms, and generally becoming more practical with their ability to share images instantaneously. But cell phones have their downsides too, with a cell phone that can do just about anything, it’s really easy to be taken out of the photography experience with a simple notification from an app trying to steal your focus away. And so, point-and-shoot cameras have continued to garner attention, and are only becoming more popular with younger and younger generations. This fact became most evident when a TikTok trend put a few-year-old Fuji X100V on the top of the list for most desirable cameras just a few months ago. So what are the top point-and-shoot cameras rented over the last year? Well, I figured it was due time to look at the sales numbers, and discuss the top ten most popular point-and-shoot cameras from the past year.

But before we dive into our list, we must ask, what is a point-and-shoot camera? They once were classified by their simplicity being the focus. You can turn it on, point it at something, and shoot your shot. However, as technology advances, so does our patience with technology. So we’ve used a single limited feature of what makes a point-and-shoot camera – if it has a fixed lens. So of the list below, all cameras have a fixed lens – a lens that cannot be removed from the camera itself. And while that doesn’t mean all these cameras are pocketable or small in their form factor, they are all generally regarded as walkaround cameras – except for one or two.

Most Popular Point and Shoot Cameras
10 Olympus Tough TG-6 Digital Camera
9 Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
8 Fuji X100F
7 Nikon Coolpix P1000
6 Leica Q2 Monochrom
5 Ricoh GR IIIx
4 Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 VII
3 Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV
2 Fuji X100V
1 Leica Q2

#10. Olympus Tough TG-6 Digital Camera

At the top of the list is the Olympus Tough TG-6 camera, which is one of the more specialized cameras on this list. What makes this camera special? Well for one, it’s fully waterproof up to 50ft, and really takes the name ‘Tough’ seriously. Along with being waterproof, the TG-6 is also shockproof (7ft), freezeproof (-10 degrees Celsius), and crushproof (up to 220 lbs). So to put it simply, the Olympus Tough TG-6 is the ideal camera if you’re going into harsh environments, and need a camera that can keep up without breaking.

Along with being a tough camera, it also sports quite a few great features. The 12MP 1/2.3″ sensor attaches to an f/2 lens with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 25-100mm. And while that isn’t breaking records, it’s a pretty great sensor and zoom for a camera that can truly take a beating.

#9. Canon PowerShot G7X III

For #9 in the most rented point-and-shoot cameras, we’ve got the Canon G7X III for its supreme versatility. As a more modern design and other options on this list, the Canon G7X III offers up a practical 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 built-in lens in front of its 20.2 MP stabilized sensor. Being Canon, you can expect great image quality paired with one of the best color rendering systems in a great and practical camera system.

Of all the cameras here, the Canon G7X III is the most versatile and pocketable on this list. Its small design makes it small enough to fit into a jacket pocket and the zoom lens makes it great as an all-around winner.

#8. Fuji X100F

The Fuji X100F is part of the beloved X100 series of cameras, and an exceptional option for those who want a capable fixed lens point-and-shoot camera, but can’t find the Fuji X100V in stock anywhere. The sensor isn’t quite as good as the newer X100V, but it’s still great. And it contains the same rangefinder aesthetics, and film simulations found in all Fujifilm cameras.

This camera is specifically for those who want a camera that can take great on-the-fly photos without the need to edit them (thanks in part to their excellent film simulations).

#7. Nikon CoolPix P1000

One of the more interesting cameras on this list is the Nikon P1000 super zoom camera. This camera is in no way a pocketable system, the camera itself is closer in size to a DSLR than a traditional point-and-shoot. But this camera has one pretty incredible feature – a super zoom lens. The camera itself is a bit of a one-trick pony, but the trick is pretty cool – a 125x optical zoom lens. A 24-3,000mm equivalent lens makes this camera closer to a telescope than a typical camera, and a lot of fun to play around with for a long weekend. So much in fact, I’ve personally rented this camera before, and have even written a review about it in the past.

The Nikon P1000 is a very specialized camera. I would only recommend this camera if you need the length of the lens, and I’d encourage a tripod to go along with it. Shooting the moon, wildlife, or birding? This is an exceptional choice.

#6. Leica Q2 Monochrom

It’s hard to find a camera more specialized than this one. The Leica Q2 Monochrom is essentially a prestigious Leica Q2, except the sensor is different by design – it only shoots in black and white. However, by using a sensor designed specifically for black and white photography, Leica promises far better image quality than if you were to convert the photo to black in white using image editors. Whether or not that is true is another discussion entirely.

This camera is designed for those who have no budget, really love black and white photography, and are looking for a small system to carry with them everywhere.

#5. Ricoh GR IIIx

It’s easy to assume that when it comes to point-and-shoot cameras, Sony, Fuji, Nikon, and Canon would all have plenty of options available that would lead the popularity lists. A brand that doesn’t get enough attention though is Ricoh. But when you look at the spec sheet of the Ricoh GR IIIx, it’s hard to understand why they aren’t a better-known brand – because the GR IIIx is an excellent point-and-shoot camera.

With a 24MP APS-C sensor attached to a 40mm equivalent lens, the Ricoh GR IIIx is a perfect walkaround camera that can be used to take exceptional photos of your day-to-day life. The lens is a really great lens overall, and the size of the camera is entirely pocketable for those with larger pockets. It’s hard to find a better point-and-shoot option for a perfect little camera that has all the must-have features that a professional photographer requires.

#4. Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 VII

Of the several cameras on this list, it’s hard to argue for any of them being a better choice than the Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 VII. Offering a top-of-the-line focusing system, paired with a ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 24–200mm F2.8–4.5 lens, the RX100 VII is such an incredibly versatile camera packed into a small and modest system. Its 1″ 20mp sensor offers great speed and the added detail of 4K video options. Designed as a simpler camera for professional photographers, the RX100 VII gives you all the tools you’d need in a camera while keeping it friendly enough for the beginner as well.

Much like the Canon G7X III, the Sony RX100 VII is an incredibly small and versatile camera that has a broad range of usability and features. If you’re looking for a stellar point-and-shoot camera, but don’t have a specific thing you’re planning on shooting, the Sony RX100 VII is an excellent choice for you.

#3. Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV

Being quite a bit bigger than what most would consider a point-and-shoot, the Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV puts one thing into focus before anything else – the lens. To put it simply, the Sony RX10 IV has a best-in-class lens system, with its ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 24–600 mm F2.4–4 lens system. However, this incredible lens doesn’t come with a substantial size increase. In short, the Sony RX10 IV is a large camera system, comparing in size more with a DSLR or mirrorless system than what you’d typically think of when imagining a point-and-shoot camera.

This camera is quite large, and not what you would typically think when you think of a point-and-shoot camera. So as such, this is a camera recommended if you need the added length of the zoom. At a maximum zoom of 600mm, the RX10 IV is great for birding, landscapes, and shooting anything that might need that extra length.

#2. Fuji X100V

As mentioned earlier, the Fujifilm X100V had become one of the most desired cameras for 2022, and its interest continues even today. What makes this camera special is its film aesthetic and the technologies built into the camera. Frankly, when it comes to making a modern camera that has a resemblance to a film rangefinder, no one does it better than Fujifilm. From film presets, to the overall design of the camera, Fujifilm is among the best in the business when making cameras that have a unique style and are easy to use. We’ve covered this camera before, so be sure to read that article to get a better understanding of why this camera is so beloved.

If you’re looking for style, there are few cameras that exude that stylistic 35mm look in a digital system. While the 23mm lens limits the camera’s versatility, it still makes for a great camera to capture in-the-moment shots and lifestyle work.

#1. Leica Q2

And finally, our favorite point-and-shoot camera also comes with the biggest of the pricetags – the Leica Q2. There is a lot to love about the Leica Q2; image quality, build quality, optics, and versatility all come to mind. For image quality, the Leica Q2 has a full-frame 47.3-megapixel sensor. For the optics, the camera features a fast, sharp, and versatile 28mm f/1.7 ASPH lens that delivers exceptional image quality and sharpness across the frame. And for build quality, you get what you’d expect from the robust German engineering you’d expect from Leica. The downside? A price point north of $5K, which is more than what you could get in the professional DSLR and Mirrorless platform systems.

This camera is recommended to those who need the resolution, the image quality, and the money to support those needs. Make no mistake, pound for pound, there is no better point-and-shoot camera on the market. But this camera is also the most expensive in that field by a significant margin.

To be frank, this list is long, so I wanted to put together a quick TLDR for these camera options listed above. Below is a quick tidbit section, explaining why you might choose one of these options over the others available.

Camera

Use Case
Olympus Tough TG-6 Digital Camera The ideal camera for those needing a camera that can take a beating. The waterproof features of this camera also make it a great entry point into underwater photography.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III A great walkaround camera system that has all the features needed to complement a professional photographer. The 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens is extremely versatile, and its size makes it pocketable for those with larger pockets.
Fuji X100F The Fuji X100F is the perfect camera for those who want a walkaround camera system, and want to have film aesthetics aplenty. If you can’t find the X100V in stock, or priced reasonably based on its recent popularity, the X100F is 95% of that camera, at a much more affordable price.
Nikon Coolpix P1000 This hyper-zoom camera is most useful for those who want to try their hand at astrophotography, but can’t yet invest in a telescope and mounting system. The 3000mm telephoto lens is incredible, but you’ll absolutely need a tripod to accompany this camera.
Leica Q2 Monochrom Want superior image quality, and don’t want to deal with color? The Leica Q2 Monochrom is for you. Shooting entirely in black and white (from the sensor) this camera promises superior black-and-white imagery while keeping a small form factor.
Ricoh GR IIIx The Rich GR IIIx is a perfect day-to-day point-and-shoot with a very competitive price. This camera is meant for those who want a highly capable camera that they can carry with them, and are more price-conscious.
Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 VII Much like the Canon G7XIII, the Sony RX100 VII is one of the best all-around cameras that still maintains the pocketability of a point-and-shoot camera. Realistically, the only reason to recommend one over the other is based on your preference to Sony or Canon.
Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV Want a “point-and-shoot” and want no compromises? The RX10 IV might be for you then. This big camera looks much like a full DSLR in size, and matches DSLRs in a lot of the specs. Frankly, this camera is less a point-and-shoot, and more of a DSLR with a fixed lens. 
Fuji X100V The Fuji X100V has had a recent surge in popularity as we’ve discussed before, making this a highly desirable and capable walkaround camera. Best yet, it has Fuji’s film simulation platform, which produces great results without the need to tinker in Lightroom or Capture One.
Leica Q2 Oh, you want to spare no expense and have plenty of money to spend? The Leica Q2 is pound for pound the best camera you can get in this field. The optics, sensor and design is all exceptional, but its $5,000 pricetag is not.

And that’s the list of our most rented point-and-shoot cameras for 2022-2023. Anything you think we missed? Feel free to chime in in the comments below. And if you’re looking to purchase or rent a point-and-shoot soon, be sure to read our guide on how to find the best compact camera for you.


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Author: Lensrentals

Articles written by the entire editorial and technical staff at LensRentals.com. These articles are for when there is more than one author for the entire post, and are written as a community effort.
Posted in Equipment
  • gglockner

    A few years ago, I rented both the Q2 and Sony RX1R II. The Q2 was a joy to use, but to my eye, the RX1R II made better photos. The biggest surprise was that the image quality of the crop frame Sony A6xxx with the 24/1.8 lens was surprisingly close.

  • alexkuch

    I just rented a Sony ZV-1 to try out as a pocket hybrid video/stills camera and it was great! It was a good pair with my finicky vintage 4×5

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