A compact optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element and a third lens element. The first lens element with negative refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has refractive power, wherein at least one of two surfaces of the second lens element is aspheric, and the second lens element is made of plastic material. The third lens element has positive refractive power, wherein at least one of two surfaces of the third lens element is aspheric, and the third lens element is made of plastic material. The compact optical system further comprises a stop located between the first lens element and the second lens element. The first, second, and third lens elements are all stationary relative to one another in a paraxial region.