With the new “PEN mini” series, Olympus is bringing the concepts of ultracompactness, simplicity and stylishness to SLR photography. Aimed directly at first-time interchangeable lens digital camera users.

The first in this new line of new generation system cameras, the OLYMPUS PEN mini E-PM1 is an interchangeable lens type digital camera that conforms to the Micro Four Thirds System, which is targeted at the fashion-sensitive younger generation.

The E-PM1 represents the culmination of Olympus’s quest to maximize the size/weight reduction advantages of the Micro Four Thirds System standard. The ultra compact and light interchangeable-lens type camera, the camera body alone weighs just 217 grams, while the total in actual usage (with the standard zoom lens, flash, memory card and rechargeable battery) is still the world’s lightest at 401 grams. Available in a choice of six different colors, this model will appeal to a wide range of users with many different needs and requirements.

This camera also boasts sequential shooting performance of 5 fps and image quality built on the same advanced technology that powers the E-P3, the just announced new flagship of the PEN series, continuing with Olympus’s policy of “providing the maximum image quality performance to all PEN models”. Better-than-ever image quality is made possible by the new 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS Sensor with 1080i HD movie compatibility and the new TruePic VI image processing engine. High-sensitivity shooting at ISO12800 is also possible.

This camera also features the Art Filters well acclaimed with other Olympus cameras so that anyone can easily enjoy photographic expressions that used to require complicated image processing. The E-PM1 incorporates six of the most popular Art Filters, allowing users to express their unique creative vision with both still images and movies.

Another example of Olympus’s commitment to relentlessly enhancing and advancing its line of new generation system cameras, this new camera is certain to expand today’s fast growing market for lens interchangeable type digital cameras.

Other Features

• New control system for easier operation
• Ultrafast autofocus using new FAST AF system inherited from the E-P3
• 35-area multiple AF with group area selection
• High-performance 5.5 fps* sequential shooting
• High image quality inherited from the E-P3
  - New 12.3-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor with full HD movie compatibility
  - New TruePic VI image processing engine
• Advanced movie recording
  - Incorporates full HD movie shooting (AVCHD)
  - Built-in stereo microphones
• Built-in sensor-shift type image stabilization plus electronic movie image stabilization using the multimotion-compatible movie IS system
• High capability removable flash
• Tone control for individual variations of the tones of bright and dark sections
• One-push digital teleconverter function
• Menu Guide to clarify menu items
• New scene mode: 3D Photo Shooting
• Proven, reliable dust reduction system

:: snap :: … and exhaaaaale — good.

Whenever I go somewhere I take a camera. Whether I am with my family or I am alone. Why do I do this? Well… for me I am a bit of a photographer, amateur at best, but still a photographer none-the-less. I feel that it is important to be able to capture memories to be able to share with others and I do this through the images that I capture and then I go from there and tell stories about the images that I have.

The challenge I run into though is storing the images in a safe place so that they are easy to access, but also so that they are safe from corruption. I have purchased two external hard drives and so far one has stopped working because it is not compatible with upgraded software and the other is getting full already too.

That is why I was impressed that YesVideo offers the opportunity to burn your images onto DVD’s. I know that when I burn them myself I am always running up against the challenge of time as it does take quite a bit of my time to be able to make any DVDs that I want. With YesVideo, all I have to do is send off my images to them and they do all the heavy lifting. Also, I have security of mind to know that the images and other materials that I send in are secure as YesVideo keeps all material that they receive locked up and tagged until they are being used and then they send it back to me in just as secure of a manner.

Why do I like keeping my images on DVD? Well, for me I tend to look at them more and I can easily bring them out and share them with others too. No longer do they sit on a hard drive and only get looked at every so often.

I completely recommend the services of YesVideo to help you preserve your own family memories, as in my opinion, safe guarding them is as important as the memories themselves.

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador for YesVideo. Visit www.facebook.com/yesvideo to join the conversation

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site’s Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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 A couple of years ago, when my wife was pregnant we decided to take a vacation to southwest Florida.  During the week, we decided to visit the Downtown Naples New Year’s Weekend Art Fair.  The city of Naples closes their main drag and invites artists from all over the country to sell their creations.

On this trip we found a photographer who had printed his photos on canvas in a variety of sizes.  I thought it was a unique way to display photos, and I asked him if he did custom work for people wanting to print their own family photos on canvas.  He told me it was too cost prohibitive for him to do it so he generally focused on his own work.

Well, a week or so ago, I was contacted by a representative of Easy Canvas Prints.  She wanted me to give the process a try and write about it here.  The site allows you to upload your favorite images and have them stretched on canvas.  The process is easy, just upload your favorite picture, decide how you want to handle the photos edges, and submit.

I’ve been asked to review a few products on the blog.  I gladly accept most offers, but I will not post negative reviews because it doesn’t serve any useful purpose.  It’s a waste of time to put negative energy into a blog post.  For that reason I am glad to say I enjoyed my chance to review the Easy Canvas Prints process.  I now have a great picture of my daughter hanging over my desk at work.

Just click the link below and give it a try for yourself.

Easy Canvas Prints