Vektro 100 vs Magic Spice vs Amarelo 30D - Side-by-Side Comparison
Today, I’m putting three film simulations side by side—Vektro 100, Magic Spice, and Amarelo 30D. These aren’t based on existing film stocks; they’re original recipes, made after my creative preferences.
I shot these using Sony’s Memory Recall Mode, which is a great way to test different film recipes in the same setting. If you’re ever stuck choosing one, this method lets you switch between looks in seconds—super useful when you want to see how different colors and contrasts play out in real time.
I have an article detailing how to set up the Memory Recall Mode. Check it out!
I’ve been using this approach a lot this year, so expect more articles in the coming weeks covering around 12 different film simulations. But for today, let’s focus on these three:
Vektro 100 was mainly designed with street photography in mind. High contrast, with deep but slightly desaturated colors, it offers amazing images which have a complementary color harmony based on Blue Amber.
Magic Spice was created on an autumn hike, to recreate the surrounding colors in a magical way. However, it ended up being also a great film simulation for portraits. Skin tones are gorgeous, with a super soft characteristic, which makes it a great choice for a broad range of uses.
Amarelo 30D is an experimental film simulation, focusing on creating Yellow-Amber skin tones. I created this film simulation after watching this Men I Trust video which I reckon was shot on 16mm film, and I simply loved the yellow amber tint it had for skin tones, so I tried to recreate it. Even tho I think it's a very interesting look, it's not as versatile and might not appeal to many users because of its specific skin tones and sometimes magenta skies. Not the most versatile, but definitely interesting for creative projects.
Sony Film Simulation Workflow
If you are curious how I load and switch so fast from one simulation to another, you can check my YouTube playlist for the basic workflow on Sony's Memory Recall Mode.
Film Simulation Samples images
Vektro 100 vs Magic Spice vs Amarelo 30D
The differences between them are as clear as day.
Vektro 100 – High contrast, low saturation. Great for bold, iconic images—street photography, landscapes, documentary work, journalism. But if you like an edgier look, it can also work for portraits, fashion, and more. It’s all about your mood and vision.
Magic spice – Super versatile. Whether it’s travel, portraits, or family events, it has a unique yet natural way of interpreting colors. Gorgeous tones, balanced contrast—works in almost any scene.
Amarelo 30D – Heavy on yellow hues. Not for every situation, but when used right, it creates one-of-a-kind images. Since taking these shots, I’ve dialed down the saturation for a more balanced look.
Hopefully, this comparison helps you spot the differences and find a favorite. :]
You can check out all my Sony film simulations below.
Or try my free recipes