Two kayakers at sunset, one taking a photo with a Portal AFN7

Welcome to the Portal AFN7

3 steps then go!

Get to know your controls

Portal AFN7 camera, front view with feature callouts

Front

  • Shutter
  • Flash
  • Mic
  • Bayonet adapter
  • Image sensor
  • Door latch
  • Type-C port
  • Micro SD port

Back

  • Power: on/off 3 sec hold, sleep press/release, tap to wake from sleep
  • Display
  • Charging indicator light
  • Mode
  • Flash: on/off
  • Zoom
  • Speaker

Same view. Seven moods.

Choose your favorite!

  1. Press the Menu/Mode button to enter settings.
  2. Keep pressing to scroll through the options, then press the Shutter button to select Image Settings.
  3. Press the Shutter button again to open Film Type.
  4. Press Menu to cycle through the presets, then press the Shutter button to lock in your favorite!

What you see

A river through the Portal’s digital viewfinder, with framing guides over the scene

What you get

The finished photo of the same river, without the viewfinder guides

The viewfinder finds the shot. The camera captures it.

Portal’s digital viewfinder is a quick framing tool, built for lining up your shot rather than showing every detail. We kept it simple on purpose so the camera stays easy to pick up and shoot. The photo Portal captures is sharper and richer than what you see on screen.

Center your subject, press the shutter, and Portal captures a richer shot than the screen shows.

Pro tip: you can turn the grid on and off in Menu.

Four habits that fix most blurry photos

  • Back up

    Stay at least 3 feet from your subject.

  • Sun at your back

    Good light makes a big difference.

  • Wait for the click

    Hold steady until you hear the shutter sound.

  • One button, two modes

    Tap the shutter to snap a photo. Hold it for 3 seconds to start recording 4K video.

No app. No pairing. Just a cable.

Plug the Portal into your computer or phone with the included USB-C cable. The viewfinder shows a connection indicator.

Open Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows) and find the NOCS PORTAL folder.

Copy your photos and videos somewhere safe.

Once they’re copied, delete them from the camera to free up space. The included card is 4GB; the Portal takes microSD up to 128GB.

Camera checklist

Before you go
Turn it on!
Portal AFN7 with callouts showing the power button and the USB-C charging port

Hold the power button for 2 seconds until the viewfinder lights up.

Running low? Charge it for 2 hours via USB-C, and the green light turns off when you’re good to go.

Set date & time
Portal AFN7 with callouts showing the Mode button, the Date & Time menu and the shutter

Press Menu until you land on Date & Time, then press the Shutter button to select. Use Menu to adjust and Shutter to confirm, so every adventure gets stamped with the right day.

The Nocs watermark
Portal AFN7 with callouts showing the Mode button, the Watermark menu and the shutter

Watermark is toggled ON by default. To change it, use the Mode button (center bottom, beneath the screen) and the Shutter button to navigate to Image Settings > Watermark, then turn it OFF.

When you get back
Get your photos
Portal AFN7 with callouts showing the USB-C port

Plug the Portal into your computer or phone with the USB-C cable, open the NOCS PORTAL folder, and copy your shots wherever you want them.

Delete your files
Portal AFN7 with callouts showing the Delete Files menu, or deleting over USB-C

Once your shots are safely copied, free up space on the camera: press Mode until you reach Delete Files, then press Shutter to select. You can also delete them straight from the NOCS PORTAL folder while you’re plugged in.

Advanced settings
Photo ratio
Portal AFN7 with callouts showing the Mode button, the Photo Ratio menu and the shutter

Wide for landscapes, square for your raccoon pals. Press Mode, select Image Settings with Shutter, then go to Photo Ratio. Use Mode to cycle through 16:9, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and Square, and Shutter to lock it in.

Comp grid
Portal AFN7 with callouts showing the Comp Grid menu and the grid in the viewfinder

Line up straighter horizons and better-balanced shots with a composition grid in your viewfinder. Press Mode, select Image Settings with Shutter, then scroll to Comp Grid. Use Mode to toggle it on or off, and Shutter to lock it in.

Sound settings
Portal AFN7 with callouts showing the Mode button, the Sound Settings menu and the shutter

Prefer to shoot quietly around wildlife? Press Mode until you reach Sound Settings, then press Shutter to select. Use Mode to change the setting and Shutter to lock it in. The options include MIN, MAX and OFF.

How to shoot through your Nocs!

  1. 1. Focus your optics

    Focus through your binocular or monocular first.

  2. 2. Align optics with Portal

    With eye-cups twisted in, align your optics with the NocDoc sun shroud.

  3. 3. Capture!

    Snap away! You’re now ready to shoot photos or video through your Portal.

  4. Shooting through a Nocs monocular with the Portal camera attached

FAQs

Pair it with your Nocs

Can I take photos through my binoculars or monocular?

Yes. Portal AFN7 works with all Nocs binoculars and monoculars, so your optics become a long lens for your camera. Twist on the included NocDoc, line up your optics, and shoot.

What is the NocDoc and how do I use it?

NocDoc is the included alignment tool that lines your camera up with your optics. Twist it onto the camera bayonet system and hold your binocular or monocular eyecup to it. Beveled edges inside fit different eyecup sizes, and it doubles as a small sun shade.

Why does the camera use a digital viewfinder?

So you can see what your optics see. A traditional see-through viewfinder only shows the view in front of the camera, not through your binoculars. The digital viewfinder shows you the lens view in real time. (The viewfinder also automatically adjusts to show you what the currently selected preset looks like.)

How do I line up and frame my shots?

The viewfinder has crosshairs and a grid to help you aim at your subject. You can also shoot at arm’s length or flip the camera around for selfies.

Features & specs

Does it shoot video?

It shoots 4K. Hold the shutter button until the red recording light appears, keep holding, and release it to stop.

Can it zoom in?

Yes, with 8x digital zoom. For more reach, shoot through your Nocs.

How many photos can I take on one charge?

More than 2,000 photos, or about 180 minutes of continuous 4K video.

How much storage does it have?

It comes with a 4GB microSD card and accepts cards up to 128GB.

Is it waterproof?

It’s highly water-resistant and weather-sealed. The IP56 rating means it’s tested against dust, rain, spray and whatever the trail throws at it. Toughwave™ rubber armor adds grip and impact protection. Just don’t take it swimming. In short, it can basically do anything and go anywhere besides submerged underwater.

Photos, charging & support

How do I transfer photos to my computer?

Plug it in. Any computer with a USB-C port will recognize the camera, and your files show up automatically, with no app or Wi-Fi needed. No USB-C port? A standard adapter works. You can also plug it in directly to a smartphone with a USB-C port.

Can I transfer photos to my phone?

Yes. Any iPhone or smartphone with a USB-C port will recognize the camera, and your photos appear in your Photos or Files app. For best results, keep your phone and camera updated. Older iPhones with Lightning ports can’t connect directly, so transfer photos to a computer first.

How do I charge it?

Use the included USB-C cable, or any USB-C cable that supports data and charging. Plug it into a computer, wall adapter or power bank until the indicator light turns off.

What’s the warranty?

Lifetime coverage for manufacturing failures; 2-year coverage for electronics.