Is there a difference between a Factory Demo camera versus a Refurbished Camera?

I'm thinking of purchasing a Nikon dslr camera. Cameta offers a "factory demo" camera for sale on ebay, whereas the Nikon store offers a "refurbished" camera directly from the factory. Is there really a difference in these two terms?

Some are saying "factory demo" means it was either a display piece or a salesman's demo. It's supposedly never used by a consumer and that they're mint to near mint condition.

A "refurbished", as told to me, can be the above or also a consumer return… Meaning that it could've been a defective camera that was repaired and brought up to spec. The kicker is that a refurb "may have been" used.

Are they right? Any recommendations?

Yes the info you stated is correct. I would probably consider the demo piece because it would have had minimal use and definitely been taken care of well.

As for the refurbished one. I've had nothing but good experience with refurbished items. But that's not to say they're the best option over new or in this case a "demo" item. A refurbished item as you said can be fixed with little to no aesthetic problems. (like new) But it's hard to be certain that the surrounding electronics that weren't replaced don't have some underlying problems waiting to cause a problem in the near future.

A factory refurbished camera has been sold, used, then returned after around a week to the factory, fixed, then sold again at a lower price but with all the benefits of a new camera. Whatever the issue it had before being returned would have been most likely addressed already as it would have passed quality control a second time. It is a steal to get one of these.

A demo camera has not been sold but used in the store or the factory as an advertising tool for prospective buyers or agents to try out. Knowing how people handle free-to-use items, this camera will most certainly have been abused.

Cosmetically, refurbished cameras look better and newer. The demo camera has not entered the factory to get a cosmetic upgrade. It is sold as-is in working condition and may have a few missing accessories even. You're not even sure you can get the box which may already have gone missing.