Panasonic Lumix S9 Hand Grip Comparison: Which One is Right for You?

One of my latest camera purchases is the Panasonic Lumix S9 bundled with Panasonic’s compact 18-40mm f/4.5-6.3 kit lens. Thanks to a Prime Day sale, I was able to save $450, bringing the package price down from $1,797.99 to $1,347.99.

I’ve really enjoyed shooting with the S9 so far. It’s compact, lightweight, and produces excellent image quality. However, one thing became obvious almost immediately—the camera doesn’t have a built-in grip.

With smaller lenses this wasn’t a major issue, but I never felt like I had a truly secure hold on the camera. Before long, I started looking at aftermarket hand grips.

**JJC Hand Grip Mounted on the Lumix S9**

Three Grips I Considered

There are several third-party grips available for the S9, but I narrowed my search to three popular options:

After reading specifications, watching reviews, and comparing user feedback, here’s how they stacked up.

Grip	Pros	Cons
JJC Lumix S9 Hand Grip	– Deeper grip provides a more secure and comfortable hold than many users reported with the SmallRig. – Thumb ring allows installation and removal without a tool. – Battery/SD card door, ports, and articulating LCD remain fully accessible. – Built-in Arca-Swiss compatible base. – Competitive price and good build quality.	– Slightly heavier than the SmallRig. – Solid Arca base may not fit every tripod clamp that uses an anti-twist locating pin. – Fewer color options than the Haoge.
SMALLRIG L-Shape Silicone Handgrip	– Lightest of the three grips. – Premium silicone covering provides a comfortable feel. – Built-in Arca-Swiss compatible base. – Includes a magnetic hex wrench stored in the grip.	– Shallower grip, with many reviewers wishing it were deeper. – Requires the included wrench to tighten or remove (Pro and Con).
Haoge HG-S9-G Hand Grip	– Deep grip improves handling compared to the bare camera. – Available in several colors, including green. – Built-in Arca-Swiss compatible base. – Battery and card compartment remain accessible.	– Grip tapers toward the top, which some users found less comfortable. – Several reviewers noted the green finish doesn’t closely match Panasonic’s green S9.- Metal finish isn’t as grippy as silicone-covered designs.

Why I Chose the JJC Grip

While all three grips had plenty to like, a few features convinced me to order the JJC.

Tool-Free Installation

The first thing that caught my attention was the built-in tightening ring on the mounting screw. I can install, remove, or tighten the grip without carrying a hex wrench, screwdriver, or even a coin.

The SmallRig includes a nicely designed magnetic tool, but it’s still another accessory to keep track of. I prefer the simplicity of being able to tighten the grip with my fingers.

A Deeper Grip

One of the most common criticisms I found of the SmallRig grip was that it simply wasn’t deep enough for photographers with medium or larger hands.

The JJC appeared to provide a little more depth, giving my fingers a more secure place to wrap around the camera.

The Haoge grip also looked comfortable, but its grip tapers from the bottom toward the top. Since I couldn’t try one in person, I wasn’t convinced it would fit my hand as well as the JJC.

Previous Experience with JJC

I’ve owned several JJC accessories over the years and have always had good luck with them. Their products have generally been well-built, reasonably priced, and reliable, which gave me additional confidence in purchasing this grip.

Color Considerations

I almost ordered the green Haoge grip because I liked the retro look and wanted a matching grip for my green S9.

However, several reviews mentioned that the shade of green didn’t closely match Panasonic’s green S9 body. Rather than risk ending up with two noticeably different shades of green, I decided to stick with the black JJC.

Similar Features Across All Three

All three grips offered several important features:

Full access to the battery and SD card compartment
No interference with the camera’s ports
Full movement of the articulating LCD
Built-in Arca-Swiss compatible tripod mount

Since these features were essentially equal across all three, they didn’t influence my decision.

**S9 Battery Door Open with the JJC Hand Grip Attached**

My First Impressions

After receiving the JJC grip and spending some time shooting with it, I’m happy with my decision.

The first thing I noticed was how much more secure the camera feels in my hand. The deeper grip gives my fingers something substantial to hold onto, making the S9 much more comfortable to carry and shoot, especially one-handed.

The built-in tightening ring has turned out to be one of my favorite features. If the grip loosens slightly during a day of shooting, I can tighten it in seconds without searching for a coin or tool.

As advertised, the grip doesn’t interfere with the battery or SD card door, the camera’s ports, or the fully articulating LCD.

The integrated Arca-Swiss plate also worked with nearly all of my tripod heads.

The only exception was one geared tripod head that uses a locating pin in its clamp. Because the JJC’s Arca plate has a solid base rather than a recessed channel, it wouldn’t seat properly. Fortunately, the grip includes a standard 1/4-inch tripod socket, so I simply attached my regular quick-release plate and continued shooting without any problems.

Final Thoughts

For me, the JJC hand grip solves the Panasonic Lumix S9’s biggest ergonomic weakness.

It doesn’t make the S9 feel like a large DSLR or even a Lumix S5 II—and that’s not the goal. Instead, it provides just enough additional grip to make the camera feel secure and comfortable while preserving the compact size that makes the S9 so appealing.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive upgrade that noticeably improves the handling of the Lumix S9, the JJC hand grip is an accessory I’d recommend.

Want to Learn More About Panasonic Cameras

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Panasonic Lumix S9 Hand Grip Comparison: Which One is Right for You?

Three Grips I Considered