A zoom lens includes a negative first lens group G1 fixed during power variations, a positive second lens group G2 moving from an image side toward the object side from the wide-angle end toward the telescopic end during power variations, and a negative third lens group G3 moving on the optical axis during power variations in this order from an object side. The third lens group G3 is provided with a lens L31 serving as a front group, and a lens L32 arranged as a rear group with an air space interposed between this lens L31 and the lens L32. When f1 denotes the focal length of the first lens group G1, f2 denotes the focal length of the second lens group G2, and y denotes the diagonal length of an image pickup plane, Formulas 1.3<|f1/y|<3.6, and 1.1