Running a marathon is for most people a physical challenge.  Running 42 kilometers in one go is not for everybody.  Your body needs to be adapted, wel trained in order to be able to run that far.

Air-compressors are not only designed for a certain capacity, but also for a dedicated lifetime.

Small piston compressors, sold at 50-100$ are designed for a short lifetime.  They cannot run continuously and will last a couple of 100 hrs.

Small rotaries, are designed for 10000 hrs.  They are sold at 1000-4000$.  After 10000 hrs, the airend is worn-out and needs to be refurbished or replaced

Medium sized oil-flooded rotaries are designed for 24000 hrs,  The sales prices is higher, but after 3 yrs, a major refurbishment needs to be done.  After 10 yrs, the compressors should be replaced of overhauled.

Larger sized Oil-free rotaries are designed for 40000 hrs.  The sales price is becoming expensive, lifetime is 10 yrs but after 5 yrs, major overhaul is needed on the compressor air-ends.

Centrifugals air-compressors are designed 20 yrs while overhauls are needed after 3-5 yrs.

Industrial pistons are designed for durability and can run for years, easily more than 40 yrs.  During these running years, only normal maintenance is required.  

From a sustainability point of view, depending on the need, you should select the right compressor in function of its Energy efficiency, Maintenance requirement and life time !