An anecdote that may or may not be relevant - In Wyoming last year I found some Antelope at a considerable distance (think indirect fire) with my 8.5 Swaro ELs. When I tried to view them through my 30+ year old Vari X III 6.5-20 (on 20 of course) they were hard to make out. I was shocked that the 8 power top tier glass could see things in detail that the 20 power mid tier (arguably) could not. This experience was a real eye opener for me.
In the interest of full disclosure all of my rifles wear mostly older Leupolds and newer Meopros (which I prefer) and I have never felt at a disadvantage.
