[jmdeegan]

I think the question I need to ask myself is, is the crush-proof/waterproof/drop-proof functionality worth essentiall 100 dollars more?

I may have narrowed it down to the 770 or the CoolPix L18. Both seem to be basically the same camera, in terms of focal length covered, pixels (the Nikon is a bit more at 8 versus 7.1). The key differences I see quickly are: (from the Nikon perspective)
-AA batteries
-no "proofing"
-faster 2.8 as opposed to 3.0-ish in the Olympus

Otherwise, it's a wash, I think. The reason I say 100 is I am factoring in a 2gb card on top of the camera cost-either an xD or a microSDHC card. I am not counting in the floating strap or a second battery, 2 accessories I would want/need....

I am just trying to imagine circumstances where I'd wish I had one instead of the other...or a compelling reason.....

thinking I'd rather have the "proofing" than not....but all the same, would love to see some samples from your 770. Not sure if we have any on here shooting with the L18, so getting samples from that might prove more challenging....