G85 overheating? record time? light sensitivity? stabilization?

Quantum Target wrote:

Record time and file handling: I am planning on using only the specified "UHS-I / UHS-II UHS Speed Class 3 (U3)" cards large enough to fit a full session or 2. The standard will allow a single recording up to about 3 hours if the card is large enough. I am interested in hearing experiences working with such large files. Are there issues getting such large files off the cards seamlessly? I understand that the primary issue is the file system - FAT32 VS exFAT. Assuming the file system of the destination drive will support the file size, is there still a requirement to use Panasonic software to transfer 4K content from card to PC?

No, and there never was.

I think you are overthinking this. Just let the camera format whatever card you put in it, and you'll be OK. 4K isn't even very demanding at 100Mb/s so I wouldn't waste money on "specified" cards. I now use Samsung Select 128GB microSDXC cards with zero issues - just make sure your card writes at the required speed and you are good to go. You don't need UHS-II, either.

Developers and manufacturers often demonstrate lazy and needlessly regimented thinking (you are only allowed to 'create' the way we have imagined). That 'class' would check the card type when it is inserted and since the SDHC standard requires FAT32 they require the card be formatted this way - even though the standard does not exclude the ability to format with other file systems - like exFAT AND the camera contains the code to read and write the exFAT file system! I see this thinking with Panasonic and their attitude about 'modifications' to the way other cameras in their line work in terms of record time limitations. As I see it the only difference is in the 'mind' of the manufacturer (and possibly lawyers and politicians) between adjusting any control on the camera away from the factory default setting and removing "features" aka hobbles or adding capability. Canon has it right - the camera is yours. The camera isn't a camera without the firmware. Use it as you like. If you do something to render the camera inoperative like drop it or change firmware and it goes wrong, restoring the camera will not be covered by warranty. Anyway, this is why I have to ask.

??

[This next part may need to move to a separate thread but there is some relevance here at this stage I think.] As for work flow, I would like to use the free version of DaVinci Resolve on a Win 10 platform. The PC will probably be a 32G Hades Canyon with 2 512G NVMe, M.2 drives -1 OS, 1 scratch. And whatever works well enough for bulk store and render sink. I don't need to work with much more than 2.5 hours total 4K content at a time and will be doing not more than 1.5 hours of finished video per week. Any roadblocks or hazards to be aware of with the camera default / only 4K format? Anyone using DR with this camera? Are you dissatisfied with any aspects of the combination?

I have no issues using the latest version 14 or Resolve with 4K video, on my laptop (unlike v12); I'm editing 4K video from the G7 generally.

And you could consider the G7 as your main camera - since you are tripod mounting it, you don't need stabilisation anyway, and the camera is very cheap. In fact, the Z-cam E1 would be absolutely ideal for you application. and it is even cheaper. There's probably people round here with one that don't know what to do with it, maybe they'll sell you theirs?

Also consider you are going to need an external power supply for longer recording times.