A zoom optical system (ZL) comprises: a first lens group (G1) disposed closest to an object and having a positive refractive power; an aperture stop (S) disposed closer to an image than the first lens group (G1); a positive lens component disposed so as to oppose the image side of the aperture stop (S); and a lens group (G3) having the positive lens component, wherein a distance between the first lens group (G1) and the lens group (G3) having the positive lens component changes during zooming, at least one lens surface of the positive lens component has an aspherical surface, and the following conditional expression, 0.40