The invention provides a zoom lens including at least a first lens group having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a negative refracting power, a third lens group having a positive refracting power, in order from an object side, and an aperture stop between the second lens group and the third lens group, wherein, in changing magnification from a wide angle end toward a telephoto end, at least the first lens group and the third lens group move toward the object side so as to increase a spacing between the first lens group and the second lens group, and to decrease a spacing between the second lens group and the third lens group.