Pistol-grip heads can be quick and intuitive, but they’re a bit polarizing in practice.

Main benefits:

• Fast repositioning with one squeeze can feel very convenient.
• Some users find them especially handy when aiming the camera steeply upward, such as for night-sky shooting.
• The design can make certain angle changes easier without readjusting the tripod itself.

Common annoyances:

• They may effectively require an extra hand: one for the camera/shutter, one for the lens, and one to squeeze the grip while composing.
• They tend to be taller and bulkier than many ball heads, which can make them less compact to carry and a bit more awkward in a bag.
• Their higher profile can make the setup feel more prone to flopping around than a lower-profile ball head.
• Many photographers try them, but quite a few seem to switch back to regular ball heads after using them.

Bottom line: if you value compactness and conventional handling, a ball head is usually the safer choice. A pistol grip is more of an acquired taste and may suit specific uses—especially steep upward shooting—but it’s worth trying in person before buying.