The pic command adds some extra space below the picture

[tthuem]

Replacing the command with includegraphics reduces that space (but still left and right hand side are not centered vertically). My example slide looks like this:

\begin{frame}{\insertsubsection\ \mytitlesource{\sommerville}}
	\begin{fancycolumns}[animation=none]
		\begin{example}{Example Domains}
				\begin{itemize}
					\item \emph{embedded systems} where software has to interface with hardware systems
					\item \emph{critical systems} with extensive safety and security analysis of specification and design
					\item \emph{large software systems} that are typically developed by several companies
				\end{itemize}
		\end{example}
		\nextcolumn
		\pic[width=\linewidth]{misc/lawn-mower-cropped}
	\end{fancycolumns}
\end{frame}