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We’re always eager to receive the annual hot gear list from LensRentals, a top source for photographers looking to rent cameras, lenses, lighting gear and videography equipment. This year’s data arrived a bit earlier than usual, but we’re assured that what you see below is a definitive list of the most popular cameras and lenses handled by LensRentals in 2017.

Located in Memphis, LensRentals was founded 11 years ago by Roger Cicala, and we often turn to them for information regarding the popularity of photo gear. Their annual list owes its accuracy to the large volume of equipment they handle.

Before you check out the overall rankings below, here are some comments and observations provided by LensRentals on its 2017 data:

1) Sony has overtaken Nikon for #2 in popularity.

2) Sigma is up about 20% on last year, potentially due to the continued increase in quality of its lenses. 

3) Growth in rental of 35mm and 50mm prime lenses across Canon, Nikon and Sigma. 

4) Micro Four Thirds lens rentals are up substantially, partially due to the DJI Osmo with Zenmuse. However, Micro Four Thirds camera rentals themselves are relatively modest. 

5) Sony E mount just beats out Nikon for the system rankings, which are comprised of all the lenses and cameras rented for each mount, excluding cine lenses and camcorders. Most likely scenario is the Sony cameras are used for video, where they rent at twice the rate of Nikon cameras. 

6) Drones, while only in the Lensrentals inventory list for a few months, have been consistently amongst the most popular items each month. Too early to draw conclusive evidence, but with more models being added to the list, this will certainly be an interesting category to watch for 2018. 

The first list below represents LensRentals’ top 15 cameras in 2017, followed by a list of their hottest lenses. Be sure to click on the links and read our reviews of the great ameras on the list.

Most Popular Cameras of 2017
1. Canon 5D Mark III
2. Sony Alpha a7S II
3. Canon 5D Mark IV
4. Canon 6D
5. Nikon D750
6. Sony Alpha a7R II
7. Canon 7D Mark II
8. Fujifilm X-T2
9. Sony Alpha a6500
10. Nikon D810
11. Panasonic GH4
12. Canon 1D X Mark II
13. Nikon D500
14. Sony Alpha a6300
15. Panasonic GH5

Most Popular Lenses of 2017
1. Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II
2. Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II
3. Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS
4. Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L
5. Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
6. Canon 50mm f/1.2L
7. Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro
8. Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II
9. Canon 85mm f/1.2L II
10. Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II
11. Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR II
12. Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III
13. Canon 35mm f/1.4L II
14. Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Canon
15. Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS
16. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art for Canon
17. Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S
18. Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS
19. Canon 135mm f/2L
20. Canon 24-70mm f/4L IS
21. Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS
22. Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED AF-S VR
23. Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E ED AF-S VR
24. Canon 35mm f/1.4L

So check out the lists and see how your gear stacks up. And the next time you want to rent something special, or test a piece of equipment before making a purchase, be sure to visit the LensRentals website.