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  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July&nbsp;21, 2005
  
  
  
  <P align="right" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B>
  
  
  
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  UNDER
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B></DIV>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>COGNEX CORPORATION</B>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</B></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Massachusetts</B>
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>04-2713778</B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(State or Other Jurisdiction of<BR>
  Incorporation or Organization)</B>
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</B></TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>One Vision Drive<BR>
  Natick, Massachusetts 01760-2059</B>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)</B>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>1998 Stock Incentive Plan<BR>
  (Full Title of Plan)</B><BR>
  <BR>
  <DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Richard A. Morin<BR>
  Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration,<BR>
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer<BR>
  Cognex Corporation<BR>
  One Vision Drive<BR>
  Natick, MA 01760-2059</B>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(Name and Address of Agent For Service)</B>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(508)&nbsp;650-3000<BR>
  Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service</B>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">With a copy to :<BR>
  <B>Anthony J. Medaglia, Jr., P.C.<BR>
  Goodwin Procter LLP<BR>
  Exchange Place<BR>
  Boston, MA 02109<BR>
  (617)&nbsp;570-1000</B><BR>
  <DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="62%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Proposed Maximum</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Proposed Maximum</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD nowrap align="left">Title of Securities</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Amount To Be</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Offering Price Per</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Aggregate Offering</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Amount of</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD nowrap align="left">To Be Registered</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Registered (1)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Share</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Price</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Registration Fee</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff">
      <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, $.002
  par value per share</DIV></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">3,985,649</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">27.45</TD>
      <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(2)</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">109,406,066</TD>
      <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(2)</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">12,878</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, $.002
  par value per share</DIV></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">2,369,123</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">28.53</TD>
      <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(3)</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">67,591,080</TD>
      <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(3)</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">7,956</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff">
      <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:45px; text-indent:-15px">Total Fee</DIV></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
      <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">20,834</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <P>
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="96%">This registration statement also relates to such indeterminate number of additional shares of
  Common Stock, par value $.002 per share, of Cognex Corporation (&#147;Common Stock&#148;) as may be
  required pursuant to the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) in the event of a
  reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock
  split or other similar event.</TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  
  
  <P>
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="96%">This estimate is made pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
  (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee. The price
  per share and aggregate offering price are based upon the weighted average exercise price of
  the related options granted under the Plan.</TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  
  
  <P>
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="96%">This estimate is made pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(c) under the Securities Act, solely for the
  purpose of determining the registration fee. The price per share and aggregate offering price
  are based on the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock as reported on the
  Nasdaq National Market on July&nbsp;18, 2005.</TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  
  
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  
  
  
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  
  
  <!-- TOC -->
  <A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>
  
  <P><CENTER>
  <TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
  <TR>
  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
  	<TD width="76%"></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART II</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;5. <U>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</U>.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;8. <u>Exhibits</u>.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#004">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#005">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b55956ccexv5w1.htm">EX-5.1 Opinion of Goodwin Proctor LLP</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b55956ccexv23w2.htm">EX-23.2 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b55956ccexv23w3.htm">Ex-23.3 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b55956ccexv23w4.htm">EX-23.4 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm</A></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  </CENTER>
  <!-- /TOC -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B>
  
  
  
  <P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is being filed solely for the purpose of registering
  6,354,772 additional shares of common stock, par value $.002 per share (&#147;Common Stock&#148;), of Cognex
  Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;) issuable pursuant to the Company&#146;s 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the
  &#147;Plan&#148;), originally adopted in 1998. The total number of shares issuable under the Plan is
  16,098,570 shares, of which 9,743,798 shares were previously registered on Form S-8 (Reg. No.
  333-60807, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;) on August&nbsp;6, 1998, and
  Reg. No.&nbsp;333-96961, filed with the SEC on July&nbsp;23, 2002). Pursuant to General Instruction E of
  Form S-8, the contents of these registration statements are incorporated herein by reference.
  
  <!-- link1 "PART II" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART II</B>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
  
  
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. <U>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</U>." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>
  
  <P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. <U>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</U>.</B>
  
  
  
  <P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Goodwin
  Procter LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Anthony J. Medaglia, Jr., a partner of Goodwin Procter LLP, is
  Secretary of the Company.
  
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. <u>Exhibits</u>." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>
  
  <P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. <u>Exhibits</u>.</B>
  
  
  
  <P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following is a complete list of exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement.
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Cognex Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.2 to
  the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 &#091;Registration No.&nbsp;333-60807&#093;).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">First Amendment to the Cognex Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by
  reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 &#091;Registration No.
  333-96961&#093;).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Stock Option Agreement (Non-Qualified) under 1998 Stock Incentive Plan
  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 of the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for
  the quarter ended October&nbsp;3, 2004 &#091;File No.&nbsp;0-17869&#093;).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.4*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included in signature page to this registration statement).</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  
  <DIV align="left">
  <DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  </DIV>
  
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">*</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="96%">Filed herewith</TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  <!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
  
  
  
  <P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
  has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
  has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
  thereunto duly authorized, in Natick, Massachusetts, on this 21st day of July, 2005.
  
  
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  <TR>
      <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
      <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="3" align="left"><B>COGNEX CORPORATION</B><BR>
  &nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Robert J. Shillman
  &nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD valign="top">Name:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left">Robert J. Shillman&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD valign="top">Title:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left">Chairman and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
      <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <!-- link1 "POWER OF ATTORNEY" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
  
  
  
  
  <P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes
  and appoints each of Robert J. Shillman and Richard A. Morin such person&#146;s true and lawful
  attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and
  in such person&#146;s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
  (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or any registration statement
  for the same offering that is effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities
  Act), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith,
  with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent
  full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to
  be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or
  could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent,
  or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
  hereof. This power of attorney may be signed in several counterparts.
  
  
  <P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been
  signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Robert J. Shillman
  <HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
  Robert J. Shillman</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  (principal executive officer)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">July 21, 2005</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
      <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Richard A. Morin
  <HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
  Richard A. Morin</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">
  Senior Vice President of Finance and
  Administration, Chief Financial Officer
  and Treasurer (principal financial and
  accounting officer)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">July 21, 2005</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
      <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Jerald G. Fishman
  <HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
  Jerald G. Fishman</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">
  Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">July 21, 2005</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
      <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ William A. Krivsky
  <HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
  William A. Krivsky</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">
  Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">July 21, 2005</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
      <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Anthony Sun
  <HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
  Anthony Sun</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">
  Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">July 21, 2005</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
      <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Reuben Wasserman
  <HR size="1" noshade color="#000000">
  Reuben Wasserman</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">
  Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">July 21, 2005</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  <!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
  
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit No.</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Cognex Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.2 to
  the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 &#091;Registration No.&nbsp;333-60807&#093;).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">First Amendment to the Cognex Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by
  reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 &#091;Registration No.
  333-96961&#093;).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Stock Option Agreement (Non-Qualified) under 1998 Stock Incentive Plan
  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 of the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for
  the quarter ended October&nbsp;3, 2004 &#091;File No.&nbsp;0-17869&#093;).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.4*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included in signature page to this registration statement).</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  
  <DIV align="left">
  <DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  </DIV>
  
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">*</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="96%">Filed herewith</TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
  </DIV>
  
  </BODY>
  </HTML>
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text: sv8
  Table of Contents
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 21, 2005
  Registration Statement No. 333-
  UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  UNDER
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  COGNEX CORPORATION
  (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
  Massachusetts
  04-2713778
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of
  Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
  One Vision Drive
  Natick, Massachusetts 01760-2059
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
  1998 Stock Incentive Plan
  (Full Title of Plan)
  Richard A. Morin
  Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration,
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  Cognex Corporation
  One Vision Drive
  Natick, MA 01760-2059
  (Name and Address of Agent For Service)
  (508) 650-3000
  Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service
  With a copy to :
  Anthony J. Medaglia, Jr., P.C.
  Goodwin Procter LLP
  Exchange Place
  Boston, MA 02109
  (617) 570-1000
  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  Proposed Maximum
  Proposed Maximum
  Title of Securities
  Amount To Be
  Offering Price Per
  Aggregate Offering
  Amount of
  To Be Registered
  Registered (1)
  Share
  Price
  Registration Fee
  Common Stock, $.002
  par value per share
  3,985,649
  $
  27.45
  (2)
  $
  109,406,066
  (2)
  $
  12,878
  Common Stock, $.002
  par value per share
  2,369,123
  $
  28.53
  (3)
  $
  67,591,080
  (3)
  $
  7,956
  Total Fee
  $
  20,834
  (1)
  This registration statement also relates to such indeterminate number of additional shares of
  Common Stock, par value $.002 per share, of Cognex Corporation ("Common Stock") as may be
  required pursuant to the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") in the event of a
  reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock
  split or other similar event.
  (2)
  This estimate is made pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
  (the "Securities Act"), solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee. The price
  per share and aggregate offering price are based upon the weighted average exercise price of
  the related options granted under the Plan.
  (3)
  This estimate is made pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act, solely for the
  purpose of determining the registration fee. The price per share and aggregate offering price
  are based on the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock as reported on the
  Nasdaq National Market on July 18, 2005.
  TABLE OF CONTENTS
  PART II
  Item 5.
  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
  .
  Item 8.
  Exhibits
  .
  SIGNATURES
  POWER OF ATTORNEY
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  EX-5.1 Opinion of Goodwin Proctor LLP
  EX-23.2 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  Ex-23.3 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  EX-23.4 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  Table of Contents
  EXPLANATORY NOTE
  This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is being filed solely for the purpose of registering
  6,354,772 additional shares of common stock, par value $.002 per share ("Common Stock"), of Cognex
  Corporation (the "Company") issuable pursuant to the Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the
  "Plan"), originally adopted in 1998. The total number of shares issuable under the Plan is
  16,098,570 shares, of which 9,743,798 shares were previously registered on Form S-8 (Reg. No.
  333-60807, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on August 6, 1998, and
  Reg. No. 333-96961, filed with the SEC on July 23, 2002). Pursuant to General Instruction E of
  Form S-8, the contents of these registration statements are incorporated herein by reference.
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item 5.
  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
  .
  The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Goodwin
  Procter LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Anthony J. Medaglia, Jr., a partner of Goodwin Procter LLP, is
  Secretary of the Company.
  Item 8.
  Exhibits
  .
  The following is a complete list of exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement.
  Exhibit
  4.1
  Cognex Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to
  the Registration Statement on Form S-8 [Registration No. 333-60807]).
  4.2
  First Amendment to the Cognex Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by
  reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 [Registration No.
  333-96961]).
  4.3
  Form of Stock Option Agreement (Non-Qualified) under 1998 Stock Incentive Plan
  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
  the quarter ended October 3, 2004 [File No. 0-17869]).
  5.1*
  Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP.
  23.1
  Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  23.2*
  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  23.3*
  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
  23.4*
  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  24.1
  Power of Attorney (included in signature page to this registration statement).
  *
  Filed herewith
  Table of Contents
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
  has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
  has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
  thereunto duly authorized, in Natick, Massachusetts, on this 21st day of July, 2005.
  COGNEX CORPORATION
  By:
  /s/ Robert J. Shillman
  Name:
  Robert J. Shillman
  Title:
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  POWER OF ATTORNEY
  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes
  and appoints each of Robert J. Shillman and Richard A. Morin such person's true and lawful
  attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and
  in such person's name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
  (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement (or any registration statement
  for the same offering that is effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities
  Act), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith,
  with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent
  full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to
  be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or
  could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent,
  or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
  hereof. This power of attorney may be signed in several counterparts.
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been
  signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ Robert J. Shillman
  Robert J. Shillman
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  (principal executive officer)
  July 21, 2005
  /s/ Richard A. Morin
  Richard A. Morin
  Senior Vice President of Finance and
  Administration, Chief Financial Officer
  and Treasurer (principal financial and
  accounting officer)
  July 21, 2005
  /s/ Jerald G. Fishman
  Jerald G. Fishman
  Director
  July 21, 2005
  /s/ William A. Krivsky
  William A. Krivsky
  Director
  July 21, 2005
  /s/ Anthony Sun
  Anthony Sun
  Director
  July 21, 2005
  /s/ Reuben Wasserman
  Reuben Wasserman
  Director
  July 21, 2005
  Table of Contents
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  Exhibit No.
  Description
  4.1
  Cognex Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to
  the Registration Statement on Form S-8 [Registration No. 333-60807]).
  4.2
  First Amendment to the Cognex Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by
  reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 [Registration No.
  333-96961]).
  4.3
  Form of Stock Option Agreement (Non-Qualified) under 1998 Stock Incentive Plan
  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
  the quarter ended October 3, 2004 [File No. 0-17869]).
  5.1*
  Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP.
  23.1
  Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  23.2*
  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  23.3*
  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
  23.4*
  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  24.1
  Power of Attorney (included in signature page to this registration statement).
  *
  Filed herewith