A variable magnification optical system of the present application comprises a first lens group (G1) disposed at a most object side, a first focusing lens group (Ga) disposed at an image side of the first lens group, a second focusing lens group (Gb) disposed at an image side of the first focusing lens group, and a rear lens group (Gr) disposed at an image side of the second focusing lens group; upon varying magnification, the first lens group being moved, and an interval between the first lens group and the first focusing lens group, an interval between the first focusing lens group and the second focusing lens group, and an interval between the second focusing lens group and the rear lens group being varied; upon focusing, the first focusing lens group and the second focusing lens group being moved along the optical axis with different trajectories from each other; and a given conditional expression being satisfied.