SX40 or SX50? A BIG difference?

Most, if not all, will purchase this camera for it's incredible zoom lens.  I can see that.  So most comments and sample images show what this camera can do at it's far end.  But what about it's wide end?  As users, have you done much with it at the wide end?  And then, have you found the results to be so-so at best there?  Better than that, or worse?  If I were to invest in the SX50, I would expect to be using the WHOLE entire range of the zoom lens.