How important is "sharpness"

I am pretty much decided on the olympus except that I keep reading the Olympus delievers only 1,656 overall lines per picture height (although 2,300+ at dead center) versus the Nikon's 2,166 overall lines per picture height. Is the overall sharpness enough reason to grab the AW100? I am a photography novice but I have plans to delve in pretty deep. (I'm sure you hear that all the time but owing to my career choice I am aiming to be DSLR savvy within 5 yeas but can't afford it now).

I should add the the ruggedness is fairly important to me as I go to some pretty humid or arid or dusty place and do a lot of wilderness trips.