GH5/GX80/GX85 has no record time limit?

[nibbles00]

Hey,

I'm looking for a video shooting camera to record video for a podcast, generally lasting 1-3 hours.

Most mirrorless cameras have a 30 minute limit, so you're kinda stuff for good IQ.

But I was just reading the GX80/85 has no time limit, neither does the GH5.

Is this true? As if so it'd be sweet to continuously record up to 3 hours.

I know card sizes could get big, I'll be recording in 1080P to save space.

Does the camera overheat etc at all?

 

[Michael Meissner]

I've heard that that the US version of the G85 doesn't have a limit, but the manual does say if you are recording either 4K or 1080p video, that you are limited to 29 minutes and 59 seconds and a recording size of 4GB of less. So perhaps in the US, they don't have a limit and did not update the documentation, or perhaps they still have the limit.

I would have to imagine that since the GH5 is so video centric, Panasonic declares it to be video gear and pays the higher tariff in Europe (where the limit comes from). But, I don't know.

I've shot several hours of videos with my G85 where I was shooting 5-30 minute segments of performers. It didn't seem to overheat.

Note, if you are shooting 3 hours solid, you probably need to look into either using a battery grip that doubles your power, or use alternative power sources (A/C adapter or fake battery connected to a much larger external battery). Around the 2 hour mark, my G85 (no power grip) needed to replace the batteries, but I would figure 1.5 hours just to be safe. Fortunately, Panasonic does design their cameras to be powered via A/C current.

Be sure to have fast and large memory cards to hold your entire video.

And obviously if you edit the videos, you may need to upgrade your pc/mac to have enough memory/disk to edit the video.

However, depending on what you are recording, it may be overkill to spend $3k or so on camera/lenses to record a podcast. Whether or not your users will want to see an entire 3 hour video podcast of one take is also something to consder.

 

[tt321]

GX80 does have a limit of just below half an hour.

 

[Martin Meier]

In EU most of video making cameras have 29:59 limit, because otherwise they are "videorecorders" :-( with an additional fee up to 14%

US-cameras (and Australian PAL cameras) most have no limitation - except of overheating problems (Sony ...)

 

[addlightness]

GX85(aka US version) has no limit. However, I doubt the battery will last more than an hour (or two) of continuous recording.

I have a GX85 but haven't got a chance to record beyond a typical 12+ mins of a basktetball's quarter. [I power off in between quarters]

 

[nibbles00]

Ah, shame!

I suppose there's grey imports that might be ok?

What about the GH5, is that the same or does that have no limit?

 

[JakeJY]

What country's version are you buying? I know the US version GX85 does not have limit, but European or other markets likely do.

Note: this depends what format you select and what your SD card is formatted in.

Lower resolution MP4 files that are not 4K have a 29:59 minute limit or 4GB file size (whichever first).

If you use either AVCHD or 4K MP4, then there is no (practical) time limit. On SDHC (FAT32) cards it splits files by 4GB, but continues recording. If using SDXC then everything is in one file.

See advanced manual page 30 for details:

ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/camera/om/dmc-gx85_en_adv_om.pdf

 

[LingoDingo]

The GX85 battery lasts about 45 minutes when shooting 4K footage. HD footage is more than 1 hour.

 

[RickPick]

Ah, shame!

I suppose there's grey imports that might be ok?

What about the GH5, is that the same or does that have no limit?

The GH5 (like the GH4) has no recording limit. It also has two SD card slots which can be configured to be used sequentially. A single battery could last up to 3 hours judging by the performance of the GH4.

There are other reasons to go for the GH series: much better 1080p bitrates and recording formats (MOV/MP4 instead of AVCHD), better video tools and (GH5 only) 4:2:2 recording internally.

 

[uncle dunc]

You can get a DC coupler (fake battery) and AC adapter for the GX85 for about $25 and record 4k until the card maxes out. Don't know about overheating, but it would be a good idea to pull the lcd screen away from the camera body to let it breathe.

 

[GodSpeaks]

Hey,

I'm looking for a video shooting camera to record video for a podcast, generally lasting 1-3 hours.

Most mirrorless cameras have a 30 minute limit, so you're kinda stuff for good IQ.

But I was just reading the GX80/85 has no time limit, neither does the GH5.

Is this true? As if so it'd be sweet to continuously record up to 3 hours.

Not true for the GX85/80 if you buy in the EU. True in the USA/Canada.

GH5 I think is unlimited in the EU, but would wait for someone from the EU to confirm.

I know card sizes could get big, I'll be recording in 1080P to save space.

Does the camera overheat etc at all?

I have both cameras and have never had overheating problems (shooting 4K).

 

[GodSpeaks]

I've heard that that the US version of the G85 doesn't have a limit, but the manual does say if you are recording either 4K or 1080p video, that you are limited to 29 minutes and 59 seconds and a recording size of 4GB of less. So perhaps in the US, they don't have a limit and did not update the documentation, or perhaps they still have the limit.

Somebody did not update the manual or website. My GX85 (USA purchased) says my camera will record up to 2 hours 47 minutes of 4K video with a 128GB card installed.

 

[GodSpeaks]

The GX85 battery lasts about 45 minutes when shooting 4K footage. HD footage is more than 1 hour.

Not my experience, unless you run the to depletion maybe.

I typically get less than 30 minutes (shooting 4K) before I change the battery. I have 4 batteries, just in case.

--
The greatest of mankind's criminals are those who delude themselves into thinking they have done 'the right thing.'
- Rayna Butler

 

[GodSpeaks]

You can get a DC coupler (fake battery) and AC adapter for the GX85 for about $25 and record 4k until the card maxes out. Don't know about overheating, but it would be a good idea to pull the lcd screen away from the camera body to let it breathe.

Absolutely. That is what I do.

 

[Corkcampbell]

--
"Knowledge is good." Emil Faber

 

[Corkcampbell]

[No message]

 

[Martin Meier]

GX85(aka US version) has no limit. However, I doubt the battery will last more than an hour (or two) of continuous recording.

I have a GX85 but haven't got a chance to record beyond a typical 12+ mins of a basktetball's quarter. [I power off in between quarters]

With an extern power pack + adapter (I have Anker with 20.000mAh, 3x USB and 9V/2A and 12V/1.5A) you will have power for hours.

Battery adapter + 9V/2A ... ready.

 

[kolyy]

The GX85 battery lasts about 45 minutes when shooting 4K footage. HD footage is more than 1 hour.

Actually, it is around twice as long. Both according to the manual and my own test.

 

[kolyy]

The GX85 battery lasts about 45 minutes when shooting 4K footage. HD footage is more than 1 hour.

Not my experience, unless you run the to depletion maybe.

I typically get less than 30 minutes (shooting 4K) before I change the battery. I have 4 batteries, just in case.

 

[caterpillar]

Hey,

I'm looking for a video shooting camera to record video for a podcast, generally lasting 1-3 hours.

Most mirrorless cameras have a 30 minute limit, so you're kinda stuff for good IQ.

But I was just reading the GX80/85 has no time limit, neither does the GH5.

Is this true? As if so it'd be sweet to continuously record up to 3 hours.

I know card sizes could get big, I'll be recording in 1080P to save space.

Does the camera overheat etc at all?

Ran it for 75min when the battery finally ran out, continuous 4k video. I tried replacing the battery and running it again to 1:45 hour. Finally shut it down as I already know it does not overheat and will run 4k continuously without any problems.

The back of the camera is very warm, but not very hot.