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tzhang4284 wrote:
If Nikon came out with a Z9 in a smaller form factor like the A1 and gave the ability to use an add-on grip, the Nikon faithful wouldn't complain. They would look to how Nikon can build a camera just as small as Sony and argue like all Sony users that you can always add a grip to it. The size of the Z9 makes it only useful for wildlife photographers or the Nikon faithful who don't care or can rationalize the size - I recently saw a dad bring his Nikon Z9 out to a local park to take photos of his kids, I was embarrassed for him.
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While some Nikon users no doubt prefer small cameras, for me most of Nikon's cameras are already too small, and I find cameras such as the Z6 II to have too few direct controls, electrical connections are in an awkward place, and use of on-camera bounced flash is clumsy because of the small size of the camera compared to the flash.
I generally prefer the integrated vertical grip cameras as I shoot a lot of verticals and prefer symmetrical operation in the two orientations. These cameras are just a much better fit for my hands. With Sony bodies I find the gap between the fingers around the main grip and the lens is too small for me to be comfortable with. Canon is the market overall leader and they also make large camera bodies in the mid and high end even to the point that the camera chassis has surprising empty space in some models so they must know something about what photographers prefer in terms of camera shape and size which is different from what Sony thinks is appropriate (i.e. make the device as small as it can be while fitting all the components). The integral vertical grip cameras do not feel the same as cameras with add-on vertical grips as there is usually a bit of flex in the joint between the add-on grip and the camera body, and the organization of controls is nicer in the integral grip bodies simply because there is no "gap" where controls cannot be positioned, so they the layout can be optimized. Also there is usually more space around the main grip and thus thick winter gloves can be used more easily in these larger camera bodies.
I don't restrict myself to using integral grip camera bodies as sometimes a smaller camera is a better fit for a situation. This is why there are different models available on the market. But picking up an integral vertical grip camera feels like coming home. I use a smaller camera for landscape photography because my landscape images are not hand-held and there is no disadvantage to the smaller size apart from the worse battery life in very cold (-25C) conditions, so I have to have multiple batteries under those conditions, whereas with the integral vertical grip cameras I could shoot two days on one charge and basically never have to think about battery charge level under normal conditions. I find that the larger battery is not as quickly depleted in these conditions (not only because of its larger capacity but somehow also I feel it takes a longer time to reach low temperatures where the output would be adversely affected). I also sometimes use a smaller camera when photographing people casually simply not to bring attention to the camera. However, I can't really get past that many smaller cameras are an awkward fit for my hands and I think there is always a space in my kit for integral vertical grip models and those are the ones I use most of the time. Not because it's necessary but because I prefer their handling.
As for large supertelephoto lenses, I can understand the motivation to minimize the total weight you have to hold in your hands. I am mostly a tripod shooter when it comes to long lenses so hand-held use of a 600/4 is just not something I could comfortably do, whether the camera body is small or large. However, a 400/4.5 with Z9 feels very hand-holdable and balanced in my hands and would be something I could use hand-held. For me the important thing is not as much the absolute weight but where it is located and having it close to the body is easier for my body than having a lot of the weight distributed further out.
However, each individual is different and should choose the appropriate kit that feels "right" to use for their body and applications.
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