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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">
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>As
  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2008</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 3pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV style="margin-top: 3pt; 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>
  
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549<BR>
  <DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
  UNDER<BR>
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933<BR>
  <DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>COGNEX CORPORATION</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <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</B>-<B>2713778</B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(State of Incorporation)</B>
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)</B></TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>One Vision Drive</B></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Natick, Massachusetts 01760</B></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(508)&nbsp;650-3000</B></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</B></DIV>
  
  
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Cognex Corporation</B></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>2007 Stock Option and Incentive Plan</B></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(Full title of the Plan)</B></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Anthony J. Medaglia, Jr., Esq.</B></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Goodwin Procter LLP</B></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Exchange Place</B></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Boston, MA 02109</B></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(617)&nbsp;570-1000</B></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)</B></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
  non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated
  filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="font-size: 10pt">
  <TR style="font-size: 6pt">
      <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top">Large accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top">Accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
  
  <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Non-accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT><BR>
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
      <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top">Smaller Reporting Company <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</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="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="11%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px double #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 style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of Securities to be</B></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount to be</B></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Aggregate Offering</B></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Registered</B></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Registered(1)</B></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Offering Price Per Share(2)</B></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Price(2)</B></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Registration Fee</B></TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <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 align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">2,300,000</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="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$22.03</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="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$50,669,000</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="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$1,992</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="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left">
  <DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  </DIV>
  
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  <TR>
      <TD width="3%"></TD>
      <TD width="1%"></TD>
      <TD width="96"></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), this
  registration statement also covers an indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock to be offered
  or sold as a result of the anti-dilution provisions of the employee benefit plan described herein, including
  to prevent dilution resulting from any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend,
  stock split or other similar change.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (h)&nbsp;under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of
  determining the amount of the registration fee, based on the average of the high and low prices on the NASDAQ
  Global Select Market on April&nbsp;15, 2008.</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"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
  </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>
  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
  	<TD width="76%"></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">ITEM 8. EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#010">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b69636ccexv4w4.htm">Ex-4.4 Cognex Corporation 2007 Stock Option and Incentive Plan</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b69636ccexv5w1.htm">Ex-5.1 Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b69636ccexv23w2.htm">Ex-23.2 Consent of Grant Thornton LLP</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b69636ccexv23w3.htm">Ex-23.3 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP</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>
  
  
  
  
  <!-- link1 "PART I" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
  
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The documents containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8 will be sent or given
  to participants as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link1 "PART II" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
  
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents are incorporated herein by reference:
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  
  <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
      <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>The Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cognex Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;)
  for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2007, as filed with the
  Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) on February&nbsp;14,
  2008;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR>
      <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
      <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>The Company&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
  March&nbsp;3, 2008 and March&nbsp;13, 2008; and</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR>
      <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
      <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>The description of the Company&#146;s common stock contained in the
  Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed with the
  Commission pursuant to Section&nbsp;12 of the Securities Exchange Act of
  1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), including any amendment thereto
  or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d)
  of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
  securities offered hereby have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold,
  shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the
  filing of such documents.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Not applicable.
  
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The validity of the common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Goodwin
  Procter <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">llp</FONT>, Boston, Massachusetts. Anthony J. Medaglia, Jr., who is Of Counsel at Goodwin Procter
  <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">llp</FONT>, is Secretary of the Company and owns 58,976&nbsp;shares of the Company&#146;s common stock and options
  for the purchase of an additional 30,500&nbsp;shares of common stock.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;2.02(b)(4) of Chapter&nbsp;156D of the Massachusetts General Laws allows a corporation to
  eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director of a corporation to the corporation or its
  shareholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director notwithstanding any
  provision of law imposing such liability, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty,
  failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law,
  authorized the payment of an improper distribution or obtained an improper personal benefit. The
  Company has included a similar provision in its articles of organization.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;8.51(a) of Chapter&nbsp;156D of the Massachusetts General Laws provides that a corporation
  may indemnify its directors against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and
  amounts paid in settlement reasonably incurred in connection with any litigation or other legal
  proceeding brought against any director by virtue of his position as a director of the corporation
  unless he is deemed to have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in
  the best interest of the corporation. As noted below, the Company has provided for director
  indemnification in its articles of organization and by-laws.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;8.52 of Chapter&nbsp;156D of the Massachusetts General Laws provides that a corporation
  must indemnify a director who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of
  any proceeding to which the director was a party because he was a director of the corporation
  against reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the proceeding.
  </DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
  </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">
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;8.56(a) of Chapter&nbsp;156D of the Massachusetts General Laws (&#147;Section&nbsp;8.56&#148;) provides
  that a corporation may indemnify its officers to the same extent as its directors and, for officers
  that are not directors, to the extent provided by (i)&nbsp;the articles of organization, (ii)&nbsp;the
  by-laws, (iii)&nbsp;a vote of the board of directors or (iv)&nbsp;a contract. In all instances, the extent to
  which a corporation provides indemnification to its officers under Section&nbsp;8.56 is optional. As
  noted below, the Company has provided for officer indemnification in its by-laws.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company&#146;s by-laws, as amended and restated, provide that, except as limited by law or
  otherwise provided in the by-laws, each director or officer of the Company (and his heirs and
  personal representatives) shall be indemnified by the Company against any expense incurred in
  connection with each proceeding in which he is involved as a result of his serving or having served
  as a director or officer. The by-laws further provide that no indemnification shall be provided to
  a director or officer with respect to a proceeding as to which it shall have been adjudicated that
  he did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of
  the Company. The Company will pay sums on account of indemnification in advance of a final
  disposition of a proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay such
  sums if it is subsequently established that he is not entitled to indemnification.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The by-laws do not limit the power of the board of directors to authorize the purchase and
  maintenance of insurance on behalf of any director or officer against any expense whether or not
  the Company would have the power to indemnify such director or officer against such expense under
  the by-laws.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors. The
  indemnification agreements require, among other matters, that the Company indemnify its directors
  to the fullest extent provided by law and advance to directors certain expenses, subject to
  reimbursement if it is subsequently determined that indemnification is not permitted.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Not applicable.
  
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "ITEM 8. EXHIBITS" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.</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="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="94%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Articles of Organization (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
  3A of the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year
  ended December&nbsp;31, 2007, as filed with the Commission on February&nbsp;14,
  2008).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated By-laws (incorporated herein by reference to
  Exhibit&nbsp;3B of the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal
  year ended December&nbsp;31, 2007, as filed with the Commission on February
  14, 2008).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Amendment to By-laws (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1
  of the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, as filed with the
  Commission on March&nbsp;3, 2008).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Cognex Corporation 2007 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 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 <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">llp</FONT>.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 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 <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">llp</FONT> (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 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 on signature pages).</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>
      <TD width="2%"></TD>
      <TD width="1%"></TD>
      <TD width="96"></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR valign="top">
      <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>Filed herewith</TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
  </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">
  
  
  
  
  
  <!-- link2 "ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities
  Act;
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
  effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
  amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
  change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding
  the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
  total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
  registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
  offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
  pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
  represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
  forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration
  statement.
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
  distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material
  change to such information in the registration statement;
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>provided, however, </I>that paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) do not apply if the information
  required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
  periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to
  Section&nbsp;13 or<BR>15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
  registration statement.
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
  such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
  to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
  be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
  securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
  liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to
  Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
  benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
  reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
  to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
  to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
  permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
  foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
  Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
  therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
  (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
  controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
  is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
  registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled
  by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
  indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
  governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
  </DIV>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
  </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="009"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&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 the city of Natick, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on this
  18<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day of April, 2008.
  </DIV>
  
  
  <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;</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 colspan="2" valign="top">Name:</TD>
      <TD align="left">Robert J. Shillman&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD colspan="2" valign="top">Title:</TD>
      <TD align="left">President, Chief Executive Officer and<br>
  Chairman of the Board of Directors&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
      <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  
  <DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Power of Attorney</B>
  
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
  appoints Robert J. Shillman and Richard A. Morin his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
  each acting alone, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or in his name,
  place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments or post-effective
  amendments to this registration statement (or any registration statement for the same offering that
  is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to
  file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
  Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting
  alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or
  necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
  could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents,
  each acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
  hereof.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
  been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
  </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="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Robert J. Shillman
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">President, Chief Executive Officer
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;18, 2008</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px">
      <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Robert J. Shillman
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">and Chairman of the Board of Directors
  (principal executive officer)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Richard A. Morin
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Senior Vice President of Finance and
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;18, 2008</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px">
      <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Richard A. Morin
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Administration, Chief Financial Officer,
  and Treasurer (principal financial and
  accounting officer)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Patrick A. Alias
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;18, 2008</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px">
      <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Patrick A. Alias</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Jerald G. Fishman
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;18, 2008</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px">
      <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Jerald G. Fishman</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Theodor Krantz
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;18, 2008</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px">
      <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Theodor Krantz</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
  </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">
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
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      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Edward J. Smith
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;18, 2008</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px">
      <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Edward J. Smith</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Anthony Sun
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;18, 2008</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px">
      <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Anthony Sun</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Reuben Wasserman
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;18, 2008</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px">
      <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Reuben Wasserman</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
  </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="010"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</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="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="93%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Articles of Organization (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
  3A of the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year
  ended December&nbsp;31, 2007, as filed with the Commission on February&nbsp;14,
  2008).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated By-laws (incorporated herein by reference to
  Exhibit&nbsp;3B of the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal
  year ended December&nbsp;31, 2007, as filed with the Commission on February
  14, 2008).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Amendment to By-laws (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1
  of the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K, as filed with the
  Commission on March&nbsp;3, 2008).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Cognex Corporation 2007 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 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 <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">llp</FONT>.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 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 <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">llp</FONT> (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3*
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD 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 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 on signature pages).</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
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      <TD width="2%"></TD>
      <TD width="1%"></TD>
      <TD width="96"></TD>
  </TR>
  
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      <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>Filed herewith</TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  
  
  
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "COGNEX CORP", "cik": "0000851205", "assigned-sic": "3823", "irs-number": "042713778", "state-of-incorporation": "MA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-150315", "film-number": "08764163"}, "business-address": {"street1": "ONE VISION DR", "city": "NATICK", "state": "MA", "zip": "01760", "phone": "5086503000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "ONE VISION DRIVE", "city": "NATICK", "state": "MA", "zip": "01760"}}
text: sv8
  Table of Contents
  As
  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2008
  Registration 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 of Incorporation)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
  One Vision Drive
  Natick, Massachusetts 01760
  (508) 650-3000
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  Cognex Corporation
  2007 Stock Option and Incentive Plan
  (Full title of the Plan)
  Anthony J. Medaglia, Jr., Esq.
  Goodwin Procter LLP
  Exchange Place
  Boston, MA 02109
  (617) 570-1000
  (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
  non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated
  filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
  Large accelerated filer
  þ
  Accelerated filer
  o
  Non-accelerated filer
  o
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller Reporting Company
  o
  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  Proposed Maximum
  Title of Securities to be
  Amount to be
  Proposed Maximum
  Aggregate Offering
  Amount of
  Registered
  Registered(1)
  Offering Price Per Share(2)
  Price(2)
  Registration Fee
  Common Stock, $.002 par value
  per share
  2,300,000
  $22.03
  $50,669,000
  $1,992
  (1)
  In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this
  registration statement also covers an indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock to be offered
  or sold as a result of the anti-dilution provisions of the employee benefit plan described herein, including
  to prevent dilution resulting from any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend,
  stock split or other similar change.
  (2)
  Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of
  determining the amount of the registration fee, based on the average of the high and low prices on the NASDAQ
  Global Select Market on April 15, 2008.
  TABLE OF CONTENTS
  PART I
  PART II
  ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
  ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
  ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
  ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
  ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED
  ITEM 8. EXHIBITS
  ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS
  SIGNATURES
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  Ex-4.4 Cognex Corporation 2007 Stock Option and Incentive Plan
  Ex-5.1 Opinion of Goodwin Procter LLP
  Ex-23.2 Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
  Ex-23.3 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
  Table of Contents
  PART I
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
  The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given
  to participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
  The following documents are incorporated herein by reference:
  (a)
  The Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cognex Corporation (the "Company")
  for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the
  Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on February 14,
  2008;
  (b)
  The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
  March 3, 2008 and March 13, 2008; and
  (c)
  The description of the Company's common stock contained in the
  Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed with the
  Commission pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of
  1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including any amendment thereto
  or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
  All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d)
  of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
  securities offered hereby have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold,
  shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the
  filing of such documents.
  ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.
  Not applicable.
  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., who is Of Counsel at Goodwin Procter
  llp
  , is Secretary of the Company and owns 58,976 shares of the Company's common stock and options
  for the purchase of an additional 30,500 shares of common stock.
  ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
  Section 2.02(b)(4) of Chapter 156D of the Massachusetts General Laws allows a corporation to
  eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director of a corporation to the corporation or its
  shareholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director notwithstanding any
  provision of law imposing such liability, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty,
  failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law,
  authorized the payment of an improper distribution or obtained an improper personal benefit. The
  Company has included a similar provision in its articles of organization.
  Section 8.51(a) of Chapter 156D of the Massachusetts General Laws provides that a corporation
  may indemnify its directors against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and
  amounts paid in settlement reasonably incurred in connection with any litigation or other legal
  proceeding brought against any director by virtue of his position as a director of the corporation
  unless he is deemed to have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in
  the best interest of the corporation. As noted below, the Company has provided for director
  indemnification in its articles of organization and by-laws.
  Section 8.52 of Chapter 156D of the Massachusetts General Laws provides that a corporation
  must indemnify a director who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of
  any proceeding to which the director was a party because he was a director of the corporation
  against reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the proceeding.
  Table of Contents
  Section 8.56(a) of Chapter 156D of the Massachusetts General Laws ("Section 8.56") provides
  that a corporation may indemnify its officers to the same extent as its directors and, for officers
  that are not directors, to the extent provided by (i) the articles of organization, (ii) the
  by-laws, (iii) a vote of the board of directors or (iv) a contract. In all instances, the extent to
  which a corporation provides indemnification to its officers under Section 8.56 is optional. As
  noted below, the Company has provided for officer indemnification in its by-laws.
  The Company's by-laws, as amended and restated, provide that, except as limited by law or
  otherwise provided in the by-laws, each director or officer of the Company (and his heirs and
  personal representatives) shall be indemnified by the Company against any expense incurred in
  connection with each proceeding in which he is involved as a result of his serving or having served
  as a director or officer. The by-laws further provide that no indemnification shall be provided to
  a director or officer with respect to a proceeding as to which it shall have been adjudicated that
  he did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of
  the Company. The Company will pay sums on account of indemnification in advance of a final
  disposition of a proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay such
  sums if it is subsequently established that he is not entitled to indemnification.
  The by-laws do not limit the power of the board of directors to authorize the purchase and
  maintenance of insurance on behalf of any director or officer against any expense whether or not
  the Company would have the power to indemnify such director or officer against such expense under
  the by-laws.
  The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors. The
  indemnification agreements require, among other matters, that the Company indemnify its directors
  to the fullest extent provided by law and advance to directors certain expenses, subject to
  reimbursement if it is subsequently determined that indemnification is not permitted.
  ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
  Not applicable.
  ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.
  Exhibit
  Description
  4.1
  Articles of Organization (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
  3A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
  ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the Commission on February 14,
  2008).
  4.2
  Amended and Restated By-laws (incorporated herein by reference to
  Exhibit 3B of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
  year ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the Commission on February
  14, 2008).
  4.3
  Amendment to By-laws (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1
  of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the
  Commission on March 3, 2008).
  4.4*
  Cognex Corporation 2007 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.
  5.1*
  Opinion of Goodwin Procter
  llp
  .
  23.1
  Consent of Goodwin Procter
  llp
  (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  23.2*
  Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.
  23.3*
  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  24.1
  Power of Attorney (included on signature pages).
  *
  Filed herewith
  Table of Contents
  ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.
  1. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
  (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
  Act;
  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
  effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
  amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
  change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding
  the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
  total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
  registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
  offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
  pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
  represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
  forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
  statement.
  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
  distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material
  change to such information in the registration statement;
  provided, however,
  that paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) do not apply if the information
  required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
  periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to
  Section 13 or
  15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
  registration statement.
  (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
  such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
  to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
  be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
  (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
  securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
  2. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
  liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
  Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
  benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
  reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
  to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
  to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
  3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
  permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
  foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
  Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
  therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
  (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
  controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
  is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
  registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled
  by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
  indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
  governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
  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 the city of Natick, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on this
  18
  th
  day of April, 2008.
  COGNEX CORPORATION
  By:
  /s/ Robert J. Shillman
  Name:
  Robert J. Shillman
  Title:
  President, Chief Executive Officer and
  Chairman of the Board of Directors
  Power of Attorney
  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
  appoints Robert J. Shillman and Richard A. Morin his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
  each acting alone, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or in his name,
  place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments or post-effective
  amendments to this registration statement (or any registration statement for the same offering that
  is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to
  file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
  Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting
  alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or
  necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
  could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents,
  each acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
  hereof.
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
  been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ Robert J. Shillman
  President, Chief Executive Officer
  April 18, 2008
  Robert J. Shillman
  and Chairman of the Board of Directors
  (principal executive officer)
  /s/ Richard A. Morin
  Senior Vice President of Finance and
  April 18, 2008
  Richard A. Morin
  Administration, Chief Financial Officer,
  and Treasurer (principal financial and
  accounting officer)
  /s/ Patrick A. Alias
  Director
  April 18, 2008
  Patrick A. Alias
  /s/ Jerald G. Fishman
  Director
  April 18, 2008
  Jerald G. Fishman
  /s/ Theodor Krantz
  Director
  April 18, 2008
  Theodor Krantz
  Table of Contents
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ Edward J. Smith
  Director
  April 18, 2008
  Edward J. Smith
  /s/ Anthony Sun
  Director
  April 18, 2008
  Anthony Sun
  /s/ Reuben Wasserman
  Director
  April 18, 2008
  Reuben Wasserman
  Table of Contents
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  Exhibit
  Description
  4.1
  Articles of Organization (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
  3A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
  ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the Commission on February 14,
  2008).
  4.2
  Amended and Restated By-laws (incorporated herein by reference to
  Exhibit 3B of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
  year ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the Commission on February
  14, 2008).
  4.3
  Amendment to By-laws (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1
  of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the
  Commission on March 3, 2008).
  4.4*
  Cognex Corporation 2007 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.
  5.1*
  Opinion of Goodwin Procter
  llp
  .
  23.1
  Consent of Goodwin Procter
  llp
  (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  23.2*
  Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.
  23.3*
  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  24.1
  Power of Attorney (included on signature pages).
  *
  Filed herewith