Exhibit 23




                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Cognex Corporation on Form  S-8 of our reports dated January 23, 1998, on our
audits of the consolidated  financial statements and financial statement
schedule of Cognex Corporation as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997,  which
reports are included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cognex Corporation
for the year ended December 31, 1997.


                                            /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
                                                PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP




Boston, Massachusetts
August 6, 1998