Long ago I read the explanaition of the difference between them in some textbook. As far as I remember, "lately" means for the last days ot weeks and "recently" for the last moths or years. For example: She has changed a lot lately (for the last days or weeks).He has drunk a lot recently (fro the last months or years). I am not sure if it is right as I haven't seen such explanaition anywhere else. Maybe native speakers will help.

I recently posted this answer to the same question on another website. It is not officially written down anywhere. It is just my attempt to explain what I think is the difference. Perhaps this will help some. Lately means in the past few days or weeks. - This chat room has been empty lately. - World news has been boring lately. -The weather has been warm lately. > Lately is more of a DURATION of a condition. > Recently is more of the HAPPENING of an event in the past few days or weeks. - I've been tired lately. (being tired is a duration of an extended condition) - I got sick recently. (getting sick is an event that happened) - I haven't posted much on LEWWWP lately (or recently in this case) (In this case, "haven't posted" is a NEGATIVE event with a duration that has lasted several days or weeks).

"Lately" and " recently" are close in their meanings : they means " at a time not long go until now. I have not been feeling well recently/lately. ( at a time not long ago until now) Have you seen a movie recently/lately ? ( at a time not long ago until now) But "recently" can also means "not long ago" I bought a car recently (not long ago) >ok I bought a car lately ( at a time in the past until now ) =X Have you bought a car lately ( at a time in the past until now) >ok

They mean the same thing.