Imperfected
Member
I guess I'm still at an early phase of the game, because so far they are rather similar.
Yeah, Snipers don't really come into their own until they hit Master Sergeant, though they're still quite useful early game for various reasons. (Their value also doesn't become fully apparent until large packs of Chrysalids, Berserkers, and Mectoid/Sectopod packs become common, as they're basically specialized in dealing with high-threat targets.)
Particularly for a new player, though, I would prioritize getting a Concealment Scout over an In the Zone Sniper. Especially with the new Motion Tracker, having a Concealment Scout is one of those major turning points in the game, even coming from someone who often uses the Japan Kiryu-Kai bonus to start with a MSGT Sniper.