A zoom lens includes a negative first lens-group, a positive second lens-group, and a positive third lens-group, sequentially arranged from the object side. The focal length magnification of the zoom lens is changeable by changing a distance between the lens-groups. The first lens-group is composed of a negative first lens, the image side of which is concave, and a positive second lens that is an aspheric plastic lens. The second lens-group is composed of a cemented lens and a meniscus-form fifth lens having a convex surface facing the object side. The cemented lens is composed of a double-convex-form positive third lens and a double-concave-form negative fourth lens. The third lens-group is composed of a positive sixth lens, which is a single lens. Formula (1) about focal length fG2 of the second lens-group and focal length fw of the entire system at wide end is satisfied: 1.10