A zoom optical system comprises, in order from an object: a first lens group (G1) having positive refractive power; a second lens group (G2) having negative refractive power; and a subsequent group (GR) including at least one lens group. Upon zooming, distances between the first lens group (G1) and the second lens group (G2) and between the second lens group (G2) and the subsequent group (GR) change. The subsequent group (GR) comprises a focusing group (Gfc) having negative refractive power for focusing. The first lens group (G1) comprises a 1-1st lens that has positive refractive power and is disposed closest to the object. The focusing group comprises a lens (L37) having positive refractive power and a lens (L38) having negative refractive power. Following conditional expressions are satisfied: 1.00