Provided is a zoom lens (ZL) including, in order from an object along an optical axis: a first lens group (G1) having negative refractive power; a second lens group (G2) having positive refractive power, and a third lens group (G3) having a positive refractive power. At least the first lens group (G1) and the second lens group (G2) are moved along the optical axis upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, so that the distance between the first lens group (G1) and the second lens group (G2) decreases, and the distance between the second lens group (G2) and the third lens group (G3) increases, the first lens (G2) includes one positive lens, and the second lens (G2) includes one negative lens.