How to Copy Photos & Videos To & From the Ricoh GR III’s Internal Memory

The Ricoh GR III has a 2GB internal memory that can be used as a safety net in case there are issues with the SD card. Here’s how to save images and videos to it and copy data from it.

Ricoh GR III Copy and Format Internal Memory. Photo by David Coleman " havecamerawilltravel.com
Text & Photos By David Coleman
Last Revised & Updated:
Filed Under: Compact Cameras

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Quick Summary

  • The Ricoh GR III features an internal memory of around 2GB.
  • The camera can be used without an SD card, saving photos and videos directly to the internal memory.
  • To save to internal memory, simply remove the SD card. The camera will default to internal storage.
  • To copy data from the internal memory to an SD card:
    • Insert an SD card.
    • Navigate to: Play Icon Menu > Image Copy > Execute > OK.
  • Data cannot be saved from the SD card to the internal memory.

The Ricoh GR III has an internal memory. So you can actually use the camera without an SD card installed. And, unlikely many other cameras, the internal memory is actually a decent size: around 2GB. It’s still not a replacement for an SD card, but it’s large enough to be a useful safety net.

How to Save TO the GR III’s Internal Memory

To use the internal memory to save photos and videos when you’re shooting, there’s no switch or button. You just remove the SD card. If there’s no SD card installed, the camera will automatically save to the internal memory.

To resume on the SD card, just reinsert the card, and it will automatically switch over.

How to Copy FROM the GR III’s Internal Memory

To save the data from the internal memory to your SD card, here are the steps:

Ricoh GR III Copy and Format Internal Memory. Photo by David Coleman | havecamerawilltravel.com
  1. Insert an SD card
  2. On the camera’s menu system, go to the table that looks like a play icon (left-hand side, third icon down).
  3. Choose Image Copy.
  4. Select Execute and then OK.
Ricoh GR III Copy and Format Internal Memory. Photo by David Coleman | havecamerawilltravel.com

How to Format the GR III’s Internal Memory

Copying the data from the internal memory to an SD card doesn’t wipe the internal memory. To free up that space, you’ll need to format the internal memory.

You can find the format function under:

Setup > [1] File Setting  > Format

You’ll have a choice of formatting the memory card or the internal memory. You’ll then be asked to confirm that you want to delete everything and continue with the format. If you do, select Execute and press OK.

Ricoh GR III Copy and Format Internal Memory. Photo by David Coleman | havecamerawilltravel.com

Note: You might also notice that there’s a File Transfer option in the menu, right below. That’s for something different: sending images over the wireless connection.

Things Worth Knowing

It’s not possible to save data from the memory card to the internal memory.

If there’s not enough space on the memory card to accommodate all of the data in the internal memory, you’ll get an error message indicating that there’s not enough space.

It’s best practice to insert the memory card only when the camera is turned off. If you do it when the camera is turned on, you might get an error message.

If an SD card is NOT inserted, the GR III uses the internal memory. That goes for both saving files and playing back files. So to see what files are saved in the internal memory, you have to remove the SD card. Similarly, if an SD card IS inserted, it will only save and playback from the SD card.

Ricoh GR III Accessories & Replacement Parts

Here are the model numbers of some of the core accessories and replacement parts for the Ricoh GR III.

Lens Ring Cap

The lens ring cap is the small plastic ring that attaches around the lens port. To the extent it’s a functional part of the camera, it’s mostly there to protect against grit getting into the attachment thread around the lens port. But it’s also largely decorative. Chances are, it’s fallen off. While you do have to remove it to attach the lens adapter for using filters or the wide-angle conversion lens, it’s a poor design that tends to fall off and get lost far too often. I’ve lost a couple of them now.

The camera will work just fine without it. But that will leave some contacts exposed around the lens barrel, which isn’t ideal.

The official replacement part is overpriced, but if you want to get the genuine replacement part, it’s model GN-1. But you can also pick up much less expensive aftermarket versions. They’re also available in different colors, so you can bling up your camera with a personal touch—or make it look like the Street Edition.

Haoge Metal Lens Ring Cap for Ricoh GR III
  • Designed for the Ricoh GR III
  • Available in a variety of colors
  • Replaces Ricoh part number GN-1

USB Cable

The GR III has a USB Type-C connector port. When you get a cable, you can get them with another USB Type-C connector on the other end or a more traditional USB Type-A connector. Which you choose depends entirely on what you’re plugging into. For example, some newer laptops only have USB-C, while most other computers have USB-A.

Not all USB-C cables support data transfer, though. That’s often something you’ll run into with USB-C cables designed for fast charging. So it’s worth checking the product description and specs first. 

NIMASO USB-C to USB-C Cable
  • Data Transfer
  • Video Output
  • Charging

Battery & Charger

The Ricoh GR III takes battery model DB-110. It’s a rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated at 3.6V 1350mAh 4.9Wh.

There are some other cameras that also use the same battery—notably, some Olympus cameras (the Olympus model number for the same battery is LI-90B). So they’re quite widely available. You can get the official Ricoh version. There are also aftermarket versions that can be much better value but work just as well.

Wasabi Power Battery & Battery Charger for Ricoh GR III
  • COMPATIBILITY – Works with these popular Ricoh cameras that use DB110 batteries: Ricoh GR III, Ricoh GR…
  • BATTERY & CHARGER SPECS – Premium Grade-A cells rated at 3.7V, 1300mAh for longer run-time and battery…

You can charge the battery in the camera (using a USB-C cable). There are also external battery chargers available. They’re especially useful if you’re using spare batteries, so you can charge and shoot simultaneously.

This is used to power the camera for longer shoots, such as time-lapse, or if you happen to be using the camera for live streaming as a webcam. It connects via the camera’s USB-C port.

Wide-Angle Conversion Lens

  • Wide-Angle Lens: GW-4
  • Lens Adapter: GA-1

Ricoh has produced a wide-angle conversion lens that takes the standard 28mm view down to a 21mm (in 35mm equivalent). While it does add some extra bulk to an otherwise small camera, it works well and adds a more dramatic, wider view. I have an in-depth review of it separately.

Something to be aware of, though, is that you will also need to pick up the GA-1 lens adapter separately. For reasons I really don’t understand, the wide-angle conversion lens doesn’t come with the adapter, and both are required to make it work. So make sure you pick up one of those at the same time.

Ricoh GW-4 Wide Conversion Lens
  • For GR III Digital Camera
  • Provides 21mm Equivalent Focal Length
  • Magnification: 0.75x
  • Requires GA-1 Adapter for Use (not included)
Ricoh GA-1 Adapter
  • Required for GW-4 Wide Conversion Lens

Remote Shutter Releases

  • Wired Shutter Release: CA-3

This is the official Ricoh remote shutter. It connects to the camera via a USB cable, and it’s a simple shutter release (i.e., there’s no timer or intervalometer).

You can also find aftermarket shutter releases for the GR III.

JJC Camera Shutter Release Cable Remote Control for Ricoh GR IIIx GR III GR…
  • Easy to operate, Half-press to focus, Full-press to shoot
  • Fits macro photography well, eliminates camera shake

External Viewfinders

  • Standard External Viewfinder: GV-1
  • Mini External Viewfinder: GB-2

The Ricoh GR III doesn’t have a built-in viewfinder. But they make two versions of an external viewfinder that slides into the camera’s hot shoe. It covers both the standard 28mm view as well as the 21mm view if you’re using the wide-angle conversion lens. There’s also a mini viewfinder; that model seems to be hard to find.

Screen Protector

The back screen of the GR III is quite exposed, and if you lie the camera on its back, the screen comes in contact with the surface. Even if you’re putting the camera in your pocket, there’s a risk of keys or coins scratching the screen.

There’s no official screen protector, but there are good aftermarket versions. The one I use is this one. It’s essentially a consumable that protects the screen. If you scratch the protector, you can quickly and easily replace it with another from the pack.

ULBTER GR III Screen Protector for Ricoh GR III Digital Camera, 0.3mm 9H…
  • ✪LCD Screen Protector perfectly fit for Ricoh GR 3 DSLR Camera . Not for other model. Easy to install…
  • ✪9H Hardness – Longer tempering time, which made the screen protector has a higher hardness. Prevents…

Carrying & Protection

  • Soft Case: GC-11 (replaces the GC-9)

You can, of course, use the GR III with just about any camera case or bag. But Ricoh does make a dedicated soft case that fits snugly around the camera and offers some protection even if you’re toting the camera around in your pocket. I’ve been using one for a couple of years, and it’s held up very well, and it keeps my camera safer from bumps and scratches.

RICOH Leather Soft case GC-11 [Compatible Models: GR III, GR IIIx]…
  • [Compatible models] RICOH GR III, RICOH GR IIIx
  • [Feature 1] A high-grade genuine leather soft case with solid protection.

Again, there’s no particular reason you have to use the official GR neck strap, but there is one. The main part is leather, and it even has a discreet, embossed “GR”.

If you do use a different strap, be aware that the strap loops on the camera are very small and won’t take thicker (i.e., stronger) attachment loops. So you might need to use some D-rings as well.

There’s even an official “GR” leather hand strap! But, again, aside from the branding, there’s no special reason to use the official strap. If you do use a different one, you might need D-rings if the thread doesn’t go through the camera’s small attachment loops.

External Flash

Unlike some of its predecessors, the GR III doesn’t have a built-in flash. It supports the Pentax P-TTL flash protocol.

Pentax External Flashes:

Ricoh GR III Manual

You can find it here

Something to be aware of is that if you do a web search for the manual, you’ll often end up at the manual for the Ricoh Digital III manual, which is a different, and older, camera. 

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Profile photo of David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel | Washington DC-based Professional Photographer

Text & Photos by David Coleman

I'm a professional photographer based in Washington DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and a bunch of places in between. I've been shooting for 30+ years, and my my photos and time-lapse videos have appeared in a bunch of different publications from major newspapers to magazines and books, billboards, TV shows, professional sports stadiums, museums, and even massive architectural scrims covering world-famous buildings while they're being renovated. You can see some of my travel photography here and here.