I've had the Z9 for over a month now. I think I've used it maybe 3 times. I feel like I'm taking pictures with a computer. It makes me want to use my DSLRs and film cameras more (which I have been since buying it actually).
You views are not universal but at the same time not unreasonable, while lots of people love mirror less tracking etc and all that comes with it including frustration and new learning curve....... regardless of brand.
I have heard some people complain that mirror less tracking is taking a bit of the relaxation joy out of photography due to so many options, the degree of complexity....again with all brands and some limitations or inconstancy, its hard to determine if its the gear or the person.
There are people in our club that just take a straight raw image and then build the final image in PS LR etc as they seem to love doing so, there are just as many who would like to get it right in camera to avoid or reduce processing, a) due to lack of interest, b) lack of time, c) lack of skill, myself i am a get it right in camera person, i dislike processing.
If your young and a bit geekish hey its all easier, if your creative and enjoy composition and less techi stuff etc its maybe better to get fully experienced to get the best out of mirror less tracking, that said ............but not at the expense of emotional frustration.
I think so far for me the only real standout is the option for super speed, its allowing in cases to get shots or information never easily obtainable before at 20 or 30 fps.
I feel that the 12 or 15 fps is really overall plenty, there are few situations where i like to go to 30fps.
The high speed has its benefits but so dose the D6 1dxmk III etc.
The mirror less tracking hangs on to the focal plain nicely and the eye tracking is good but in mostly in ideal circumstances, defiantly not in all cases.
I am exploring more each day...........i go really well then loose it and start again, this goes over and over but the rate of loosing it is getting less so i must be learning.
I did say that i like the option of speed, true, that said today i was reviewing some archive images on my mates new I Mac 27 inch, it was a good time had.
To our surprise at 11 fps on the D4s, 14 fps on the D6 frankly many photo's were real no different in end result.
So i assume, if i turn off all tracking etc and shoot the Z9 as a normal camera then ok you have a normal camera yes/no ?...................... your focusing and tracking correct.
But yes i picked up the D850 and my mates D6 while not a Z9 i was more relaxed momentarily, the question is will i feel the same after quality time with et Z9.
I think the Z9 deserves a lot more patience and respect, while my personal opinion is that in the industry (all brands) the tracking lock on is at level 6 ot 7 not 10, or a bit raw and not totally perfect just yet.
My position is i am accessing what dose mirror less tracking at the moment do for my photography as apposed to using my skill set in the real world.............i do have a love for the D850 and a real soft spot for the D6, both are defiantly brilliant cameras and do i feel mirror less is better but only in some ways, for my self i am learning to see whats reality and whats perception, before i invest in new glass.
For indoor basket ball, hockey, wheel chair basket ball, with challenging lighting conditions i rent the D6 and leave the Z9 at home or office, why, i am not there yet with the Z9, now that's not taking anything away for the Z9, i love it so far, equally i have a long way to go.
Only an opinion