When you assemble the MEMENTO and turn it on, it will run a basic camera application from the factory. It is a perfectly functional basic camera.
More advanced functionality will be obtained when loading the camera with CircuitPython and CircuitPython apps.
This page documents the factory software for your information. It is recommended you use the alternative CircuitPython apps listed later in this guide to gain other capabilities.
The microSD Card
The images are stored on the inserted microSD card inserted into the slot in the lower right portion of the camera looking at the rear.
With the MEMENTO power off, take a microSD card with the non-straight edge to the right and printing on top (gold contacts on the bottom), insert the card into the slot where microSD is printed on the back of the camera. It is below the connector used to provide power and signal to the lights on the front of the camera (if installed).
Insert the card loosely, wiggle if it feels tight. Do not force it, if it will not go in, check for the correct orientation.
Press the card in until it clicks. Do not force it if it appears to not want to go in - in that case remove the card, check the orientation, and try again.
Refer to the page below on formatting the card you are not using a formatted microSD card. If you have a fresh microSD card from Adafruit, it should already be formatted (although suppliers can miss it and it may need formatting).
With your MEMENTO camera fully assembled, look on the top left. There is a slide switch marked ➡On. Using your fingernail, slide the switch towards the right.
The display will then show what the camera sees. A small green LED next to the power switch will be on.
If the green LED isn't on, and the display is dark, see the previous page about charging the battery.
The LCD display on the rear frames the shot.
Press the shutter button to take a picture. It's located at the top of the camera to the right.
Images are numbered sequentially IMAGE0000.jpg, IMAGE0001.jpg, etc. on the microSD card.
To download the images, you'll need to remove the microSD card. How to do this is as follows:
Turn your MEMENTO off by sliding the power switch to the left. The display and any LEDs seen from the top should go dark.
Once the camera is off, you can gently push on the microSD card and it will disengage and can be removed. You can insert the card in a USB card reader and connect that to your computer to view the picture files.
Be sure to put the microSD back in the MEMENTO before trying out the settings listed below.
The four buttons in a diamond pattern on the rear of the camera allow you to make settings adjustments.
The current resolution is shown overlaid near the bottom of the screen. Above, the circled in red text shows "Size: 1024x768".
The Up button changes the image resolution from the base 640x480 (default) to one of the following:
- 160x120
- 320x240
- 480x320
- 640x480
- 800x640
- 1024x768
- 1280x720
- 1280x1024
- 1600x1200
- 2048x1536
- 2560x1920 (highest)
For the best picture quality, select 2560x1920. 640x480 images are about 50k bytes, 160x120 images are about 6kb. 2560x1920 images are about 320kb. Actual sizes will vary depending on the subject and JPEG compression.
The Left and Right buttons in the four button cluster control various filters. When the camera is powered on, there is no filter applied, it is a standard color image.
The Right button cycles through various filters: sepia (yellow), blue, green, red, greyscale, reverse image and back to normal. The Left button cycles through the same effects in the reverse direction.
The stock application has limited ways to change settings. If you want more advanced functions, continue reading this guide's subsequent pages for using the CircuitPython app.
Software to Revert to Factory Functionality
Customers often ask for the software to get a product back to the working state from the factory. Follow the guide page listed below.
The source for the factory code is available on GitHub:
Page last edited August 11, 2025
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