Lumix GH4 freezes in gallery

[pixellegolas]

Hi! I recently bought a Lumix GH4 and it acts quite strange. After I take a photo or movie and press the PLAY button, it enters the "gallery" but freezes. I have to remove the battery in order to turn it off.

The photos and movies are saved without issue, but I cannot look at the result.

I have 2 different batteries, both non-original. I have 2 different SD-cards I have tested.

I want to try to update the camera, but it needs me to be in "Gallery" and that is where it freezes.

I have ordered a USB-cable for the camera and hope I can plug it in a PC and "bypass" the battery to see if it might be the battery.

Any other things I can do? Can I test the batteries to see if they are "ok"?

 

[runswithsizzers]

Doesn't sound like a battery problem to me.

When you say you have "tested" 2 different SD-cards, did that include reformatting a new, name-brand SD card in the GH4 using the camera's Format menu item?

 

[loccdor]

If the batteries can keep the camera powered up for a decent length of time, I wouldn't suspect them.

The fact that it occurs when switching to Gallery makes me believe it has something to do with the input/output. The camera is likely performing a read operation from the memory card at that point. It could be trying to read corrupted data if the write operation wasn't fully successful. Or it could be a problem with the read itself.

Could have something to do with the contacts for the memory card (try cleaning them), could have something to do with how the memory cards are formatted (can you connect them to your computer to try different formatting types?). Have you checked if the particular types of memory card you are using are compatible with the camera? The camera is from 2014 so I wouldn't assume all cards will work. It may be better to stick with cards with protocols from the same time-frame.

 

[pixellegolas]

Doesn't sound like a battery problem to me.

When you say you have "tested" 2 different SD-cards, did that include reformatting a new, name-brand SD card in the GH4 using the camera's Format menu item?

One of them was formatted via the in-camera menu. Will test the other SD-card also. One of them is a kingston and the other I have to check later.
I just read somewhere that some third party batteries have less voltage or similar that can create strange behaviors. I really hope that I can at least force an update through USB-cable in some way

 

[runswithsizzers]

I have read a LOT of threads about third party batteries for Fuji cameras, but I have never seen anyone suggest they might cause problems like you describe. However, I know nothing about Panasonic cameras, so there may be issues I am unaware of. If the batteries were mine, I'd want to check the voltages with a multimeter.

By "update" I assume you are trying to update the camera firmware?

With Fuji cameras, I believe it is possible to apply a firmware update without first loading the firmware to an SD card, either by USB cable or maybe wirelessly, using an app -- I don't really know the specifics, because I have always updated my Fujis from an SD card.

I am somewhat skeptical that updating your camera firmware is going to solve your Playback problem. I still think the reason you cannot preview your photos in camera is more likely due to either:
- a corrupt or improperly formatted card, or
- a card type or size which is incompatable with your camera, or
- a hardware problem with the card reader in your camera

... but I guess it could be a problem with the camera's firmware, so you can try that.

Have you tried the suggestions by @loccdor to verify what SD card specifications are recommended by Panasonic -- and to clean the contacts on the SD cards?

 

[pixellegolas]

I think perhaps you are on to something. Both cards are micro-sd with adapter to SD. This might make it incompatible. I will try to clean inside the sd slot a bit and reformat etc.

Next step is to find a pure SD card from that timeframe

 

[runswithsizzers]

I found this in an online Owners manual for a GH4, but you should confirm that info is correct for your exact model camera. Fuji actually recommends certain brands of SD cards, but apparently Panasonic does not?

 

[reddesert]

Many devices can only use a card up to some maximum capacity. According to the manual screenshot above, it can use up to 64 GB SDXC (I think any card of 64gb and up is SDXC, not SDHC). If you use a larger card there will almost certainly be issues. Try using a plain old name-brand SD card, no adapter, of 32gb or less. You might have to buy it used, which rarely matters. It would probably take you months to fill an 8gb card unless you shoot a lot of video.

It almost certainly is not the batteries.

 

[pixellegolas]

I ordered a regular SD card, 16gb U3. I think it was listed in the above list. Wish me luck that it will fix all issues

 

[pixellegolas]

I used these 2 cards now and get exactly the same problem. When entering gallery it freezes the camera.

Will next try to clean inside slot if i can reach in there

 

[runswithsizzers]

I used these 2 cards now and get exactly the same problem.

It's starting to sound like there may be either a hardware problem with the camera's card reader or a problem with the camera's programming which decodes the files.

When you say...

The photos and movies are saved without issue, but I cannot look at the result.

... does that mean you can successfully view the files on a computer?

If the files can be played back on a computer, but not in the camera, that suggests the problem is not with writing the files to the card, rather is due to the camera's (in)ability to read or decode the files.

 

[pixellegolas]

It's starting to sound like there may be either a hardware problem with the cameras card reader or a problem with the camera's programming which decodes the files.

When you say...

... does that mean you can successfully view the files on a computer?

If the files can be played back on a computer, but not in the camera, that suggests the problem is not with writing the files to the card, rather is due to the camera's (in)ability to read or decode the files.

When the card is empty it says No pictures, but still freezes. This is getting a bit weird

 

[runswithsizzers]

When the card is empty it says No pictures, but still freezes. This is getting a bit weird

But that is only when you go to the camera's Playback screen, right?

What happens when you take a few still photos and movies, and then put the SD card in a computer? Can the computer read the files?

 

[pixellegolas]

But that is only when you go to the camera's Playback screen, right?

What happens when you take a few still photos and movies, and then put the SD card in a computer? Can the computerread the files?

Will check how pc reads the files later. The camera shows the first image but freezes. So it does render an image

 

[choiliefan]

Any chance the seller will take the camera back?
Its obviously defective.

 

[runswithsizzers]

Any chance the seller will take the camera back?
Its obviously defective.

I've been kinda thinking the same thing.

I'm afraid this might turn out to be one of those problems that that is going to take a new electronic circuit board to fix, and -- if the part is even available -- then it will cost more than the camera is worth. Just guessing, and I hope I'm wrong, but...?

 

[choiliefan]

Cameras like the GH4 which are used primarily for video recording have hundreds if not thousands of hours of hot/cool cycles through them. Many bodies keep a record of the number of still exposures but how about hours of video? Don't have the answer but cameras like this can look absolutely pristine and have baked electronic functions.

 

[pixellegolas]

I bought the camera for around 70usd and it was sold as "I don't have a battery and don't know if it works". It was a gamble from my side. I mean it works, just not so good that I want to keep it in current state. I don't really know what to test more except trying to update it. Perhaps if I could get a original battery somewhere and just try to see if that would make a difference.

Otherwise I will try to resell as defective and perhaps someone needs spare parts