Thanks for your input cctvnerd.
Just installed one myself yesterday and so far, I am very pleased with the new dome format / dome cover and the new mount (even though it limits you to 2 positions for attaching the dome body to the wall mount when using one). Also the loss of the pigtail makes it easier to install (I do not use the sound and alarm inputs/outputs or the 12V as I have POE).
I especially like the motor zoom / auto iris which work great together. The picture itself is up to par with my other 3 and 4 MP cams (which I run mostly on 1920/1080).
One thing I am not so impressed with yet are the "darkfighter" capabilities and the EXIR lights - this may have to do with my mounting position (under a roof, looking alongside a white wall) and/or my settings as I am still playing around with that.
Yesterday, my "darkfighter" cam switched to IR /BW about 30 min later compared to the other cams but returned to color a few minutes after my other cams (all with a sensitivity set to auto and "4"). Initially I thought I can do away with my separate IR light over the entrance door (which the cam is watching in a distance of ~7m while being zoomed in to 12mm) but I think I will keep that around.
All in all a good cam which I am happy with. Not sure if the price difference compared to say a 2742 is justified or not (apart from the very good motor zoom / auto iris). It does however come with a bunch of additional behaviour analysis pattern beyond line crossing and intrusion detection.