Yes, they both restore the phone. I have used DFU mode to solve iTunes errors messages when trying to update as well as phones stuck on the apple logo after an update. Since it powers on the iPhone (and correct me if I'm wrong) and skips the boot loader you are able to force iTunes to restore the phone in cases like I stated above. Normal recovery mode works when there aren't issues like these, but personally I've had DFU solve problems when a normal plug into iTunes restore wouldn't.
Both restore yes, just one loads the boot loader and one doesn't.
DFU mode loads a boot loader as well. How else do you think it start the iOS restore process? You can't start iOS from it's ram disk unless you have a boot loader.
According to my BF who is a Genius this is not true. They have been told that a DFU is generally not be necessary but they are not forbidden to do it if they see fit.
And FYI, odd shut downs, especially when it's possible the person has preview software on their device, is one of the times they have been told to try a DFU.
Your BF has his job on the line if he preforms a DFU mode restore. Apple retail documentation explicitly states that DFU mode restores are not to be preformed by Apple employees.
This is untrue
Again not true some of the time
I'm just stating what is available within the Apple retail employee documentation.
Tell me then, what exactly is the difference between a DFU mode restore and clicking the restore button in iTunes when the iDevice is in normal boot mode? There isn't one. Not a single difference. Why? Because when iTunes tells the device to reboot, it tells it to reboot into a soft DFU mode and uploads a ramdisk for it to boot from. Not a single bit of difference when using regular DFU mode.
Mostly iTunes. In the back room for some of the more complex restores, some techs have access to PurpleRestore. But it requires a valid Apple Connect account that you are also authorized to use PurpleRestore with. Very few of the Apple retail staff have this needed authorization, if any at all within a singular store.