1


                                                                      EXHIBIT 23

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements
of Cognex Corporation on Form S-8 (File Nos. 33-31657, 33-32815, 33-36263,
33-72634, 33-72636, 33-72638, 33-81150, 33-81152, 333-2151, 333-4621, and
333-60807) of our reports dated January 26, 1999, on our audits of the
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Cognex
Corporation as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1998, which reports are incorporated by reference
or included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Boston, Massachusetts                             /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
March 26, 1999