Absolutely, Dick, and here is why I believe so. When I got my H1, I started out with only the 50-110 zoom and was happy with it as long as I used it on a tripod. That wasn't a big deal since I always shoot with a tripod for my landscapes and used a DSRL for people shots. Carrying two systems when traveling to foreign countries especially, became very burdensome. That's why I got the HC 80mm--it allowed me to shoot hand held like an DSLR but with much bigger sensor size and MP, no tripod and only 1 system. I also noticed that the HC 80, as a primary lens, was sharper than anything around that 80mm range on the zoom, when I used them both on a tripod, shooting between f5.6-f11. I can say unequivocally, that if you make big blow ups as I do, you will notice a difference in quality--but I have to go larger than 17x26" to really notice it on matte paper--I've not printed with glossy but suspect that it will show a difference with glossy at a smaller size if you print at 2880. BUT, the ability to just take one system with me when I travel, using the HC80 for people shots made it worth the price--getting a sharper image was frosting on the cake Roll Eyes
Dennis