According this logic nobody should be able to get decent images with older cameras. Wonder why people still use film then, technology is more than 15 years old.
Range is a 'nice to have', especially for newbies. They should not get confused with 'getting maximum zoom range for the buck'. DSLR is using the right lens when needed, not getting '20x optical zoom' in one lens as with prosumer cameras.
That's your interpretation.