Check your camera first
Recipe Lab CN runs on Sony cameras that support PlayMemories Camera Apps (PMCA). Look for MENU → Application → Application List on your camera. Wi-Fi or phone remote-control support alone does not mean that camera apps can be installed.
The following compatibility notes come from the version's documentation. Lenscript has not tested every model or firmware combination. Check both the exact camera model and the firmware before installation.
| Camera | Firmware / limitation |
|---|---|
| A7R II (ILCE-7RM2) | 4.00 / 4.01; the example used in this guide |
| A7R / A7 II / A7 | A7R: 3.2; A7: 3.20; A7 II firmware not specified |
| A6000 / A6300 / A6500 | A6000: 3.21; others not specified |
| A5100 / NEX-5T | A5100 lacks Fn / AEL buttons, limiting some operations |
| RX100 V | 2.00; do not confuse it with RX100 VA |
| HX60 / HX60V | Zoom and flash have limitations inside the app |
Not compatible: A7 III and later, A9 / A1 series, A6100 / A6400 / A6600 / A6700, ZV-E10 / ZV-1, FX3 / FX30, RX100 VA and later, among others. A similar model name does not imply compatibility.
01 / Download and prepare
Download the complete kit and extract the ZIP into a folder on a Windows computer. It contains:
RecipeLabCN.apk: the Chinese application for your camera, not an Android phone app.pmca-gui-v0.18-win.exe: the Windows USB installation tool.Recipes-CN.txt: the Chinese recipe list.READ-ME.txtandlicenses/: quick instructions and software notices.
Have a Windows computer, a USB data cable and a memory card ready. Insert the card into the camera and charge its battery to at least 50%. This kit documents the Windows workflow. A phone can save the ZIP but cannot perform these installation steps.
02 / Install over USB
- Set the connection mode. Turn on the camera, open MENU → Setup → USB Connection, choose Mass Storage, then connect it to the computer.
- Open the installer. Run the extracted
pmca-gui-v0.18-win.exe. Check that the camera is detected in the Install app tab. - Choose the APK. Select Install app from file, then choose
RecipeLabCN.apkfrom the same folder. - Wait for completion. The camera screen may flicker or go black. Wait for Task completed successfully on the computer before disconnecting. Do not turn off the camera or unplug USB while installation is running.
- Restart and launch. Disconnect USB after completion, switch the camera off and on, then open MENU → Application → Application List → 配方实验室.
These steps use only Install app. They do not require the installer's Tweaks or firmware-related functions. If an error appears, record it before trying further steps.
03 / Preview, apply and restart
Turn the dial to browse looks with a live preview. Press the centre button briefly to apply the selected recipe, then restart the camera. A preview alone does not save the settings. The Chinese label “已生效” indicates that the settings have been written.
The version documentation describes settings carrying over to P / A / S / M and video after restart. Actual results depend on the camera and its settings; take a test photograph before an important shoot.
| Control | Action |
|---|---|
| Dial / control wheel | Browse recipes with live preview |
| Fn | Open brand groups; favourites are at the top |
| Centre button, short press | Apply the selected recipe |
| Centre button, hold about one second | Add or remove a favourite |
| AEL / DISP | Cycle full, compact and hidden panels |
| TRASH | Restore default colour settings |
| MENU | Exit the application |
| Up / down | Switch between recipes and the parameter strip |
| Left / right, then centre, then dial | Choose a parameter, enter editing, change its value |
| C1 | Developer tools, including settings snapshots; not needed for ordinary recipe use |
“风格” means Creative Style. “饱和 / 对比 / 锐度” means saturation / contrast / sharpness. “白平衡 / 色温” and “A-B / G-M” control white balance and its adjustment. EV is exposure compensation, DRO is Dynamic Range Optimizer, and “画质” is file format / JPEG quality.
Recipes approximate colour styles; they do not reproduce another manufacturer's original colour science. Some picture effects require JPEG and cause the application to change the file format. Check image quality before shooting.
Common questions
The computer cannot find the camera
Check that the camera is on, a card is inserted and USB is set to Mass Storage. Try a data-capable cable and a different USB port. A charging-only cable will not work.
The camera screen went black during installation
This can happen during normal installation. Use the computer's completion message as the reference. If the computer reports an error, keep the full message and avoid repeatedly forcing the installation.
Some settings are protected or read-only
Stop retrying the write. This kit does not include an unlocking tool. Share the exact model, firmware and message in the QQ group so the situation can be checked before further changes. Do not experiment with firmware or Tweaks controls to solve it.
RAW changed to JPEG
Some recipes depend on picture effects that the camera cannot use with RAW. Choose a recipe without those effects if you need RAW, and check the image-quality setting again.
Chinese characters appear as boxes, or there is no live preview
This edition includes Chinese glyphs. Confirm that you installed RecipeLabCN.apk. For missing preview, check that the camera is on, the lens is attached and the memory card is inserted. Include the exact model and firmware when reporting the issue.
Restore colours or uninstall
Press TRASH and select the default Standard look, or adjust the relevant settings manually in the camera menu. The uninstall entry is under MENU → Application → Application List → Delete. Restore colours before uninstalling. Restoring defaults does not recover every custom setting you previously used.
Does it modify firmware? Is every camera tested?
The app applies colour settings, and this installation guide does not require flashing firmware. It is third-party software, not an official Sony application. Lenscript has not tested every camera and firmware combination. Record your original settings and test before an important shoot.
My download failed
Retry the direct link on this page. The file-details section provides SHA-256; on Windows you can verify it using PowerShell's Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256. If you are reading on a phone, open this page on a Windows computer to continue installation.
