@Ingolf BTW: in VS the mouse wheel zooming preference is a single checkbox "Mouse Wheel Zooms".
I see that Inkscape can also customize modifier keys now

Yes, VS is decades ahead of Inkscape on most counts. However, both programs can work on bringing down the complexity of the user interface. And Inkscape has a long way to go.

One thing is the incredibly clumsy way of working with e.g. perspective in Inkscape, another thing is the ultra old fashioned clip path and release clip, which is completely unacceptable when you have used the intuitive method like in VS and Affinity. I simply cannot use Inkscape for real work. Not much has changed since I discovered Inkscape 15+ years ago.

But exciting that they are rising to the challenge - with just one annual release, we probably need 5-10 years before Inkscape becomes a real alternative to commercial programs.

I see that Inkscape can also customize modifier keys now

I prefer to scroll with the mouse scroll wheel, and it's not so intuitive to turn on in Inkscape. Preferences like these turn the scroll wheel on:

In order for the scroll wheel to work for zooming, you must remove any modifier associated with "Canvas zoom":