A zoom lens includes a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a subsequent lens group in order from an object side. A focusing lens group closer to an image side than the first lens group moves during focusing. The first lens group consists of a first-a lens group and a first-b lens group in order from the object side. Assuming that an average of refractive indices of the negative lenses of the first-a lens group is Nd1ave, a focal length of the focusing lens group is ff, and a focal length of the first lens group is f1. Conditional Expression (1) of 1.73<Nd1ave<1.95 and Conditional Expression (2) of 1<Iff/f1I<3 are satisfied.

A variable magnification optical system comprising, in order from an object side, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a first intermediate lens group having positive refractive power, a second intermediate lens group having negative refractive power and a rear lens group; upon varying a magnification from a wide angle end state to a telephoto end state, a distance between the first lens group and the first intermediate lens group being varied, a distance between the first intermediate lens group and the second intermediate lens group being varied, and a distance between the second intermediate lens group and the rear lens group being varied; the rear lens group comprising at least one focusing lens group which is moved upon carrying out focusing from an infinitely distant object to a closely distant object; and predetermined conditional expressions being satisfied, thereby the focusing lens group(s) being reduced in weight.

A variable magnification optical system comprising, in order from an object side, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a first intermediate lens group having positive refractive power, a second intermediate lens group having negative refractive power and a rear lens group; upon varying a magnification from a wide angle end state to a telephoto end state, a distance between the first lens group and the first intermediate lens group being varied, a distance between the first intermediate lens group and the second intermediate lens group being varied, and a distance between the second intermediate lens group and the rear lens group being varied; the rear lens group comprising at least one focusing lens group which is moved upon carrying out focusing from an infinitely distant object to a closely distant object; and predetermined conditional expressions being satisfied, thereby the focusing lens group(s) being reduced in weight.

A zoom lens includes a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a subsequent lens group in order from an object side. A focusing lens group closer to an image side than the first lens group moves during focusing. The first lens group consists of a first-a lens group and a first-b lens group in order from the object side. Assuming that an average of refractive indices of the negative lenses of the first-a lens group is Nd1ave, a focal length of the focusing lens group is ff, and a focal length of the first lens group is f1, Conditional Expression (1) of 1.73<Nd1ave<1.95 and Conditional Expression (2) of 1<|ff/f1|<3 are satisfied.

A zoom lens includes a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a subsequent lens group in order from an object side. A focusing lens group closer to an image side than the first lens group moves during focusing. The first lens group consists of a first-a lens group and a first-b lens group in order from the object side. Assuming that an average of refractive indices of the negative lenses of the first-a lens group is Nd1ave, a focal length of the focusing lens group is ff, and a focal length of the first lens group is f1, Conditional Expression (1) of 1.73<Nd1ave<1.95 and Conditional Expression (2) of 1<|ff/f1|<3 are satisfied.

A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a subsequent unit including a plurality of lens units, The first lens unit is configured not to move for zooming. A distance between each pair of adjacent lens units changes in zooming. The subsequent unit includes, in order from the image side to the object side, a lens having a positive refractive power and configured not to move for zooming, a moving positive lens unit consisting of one or two lenses, having a positive refractive power, and configured to move in zooming, and a diaphragm configured to move in zooming. The diaphragm is closer to the object side at the wide-angle end than at the telephoto end. A predetermined condition is satisfied.

A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a subsequent unit including a plurality of lens units, The first lens unit is configured not to move for zooming. A distance between each pair of adjacent lens units changes in zooming. The subsequent unit includes, in order from the image side to the object side, a lens having a positive refractive power and configured not to move for zooming, a moving positive lens unit consisting of one or two lenses, having a positive refractive power, and configured to move in zooming, and a diaphragm configured to move in zooming. The diaphragm is closer to the object side at the wide-angle end than at the telephoto end. A predetermined condition is satisfied.

An optical zoom camera and an optical zoom system for the optical zoom camera. The optical zoom system comprises at least three spatially separated lens groups, which are arranged on an optical axis. The optical zoom system does not include any further lens groups on the optical axis. A third lens group is immovable along the optical axis, a second lens group is movable along the optical axis to set a magnification of the optical zoom system, and a first lens group is movable along the optical axis to focus the optical zoom system.

An optical zoom camera and an optical zoom system for the optical zoom camera. The optical zoom system comprises at least three spatially separated lens groups, which are arranged on an optical axis. The optical zoom system does not include any further lens groups on the optical axis. A third lens group is immovable along the optical axis, a second lens group is movable along the optical axis to set a magnification of the optical zoom system, and a first lens group is movable along the optical axis to focus the optical zoom system.

A camera module includes: a housing; a reflecting module; and a lens module disposed behind the reflecting module, wherein the moving holder is disposed to be movable in one axial direction, approximately perpendicular to the optical axial direction and the one axial direction with respect to the housing, the lens module includes a carrier supported by the housing to be linearly movable in approximately the optical axial direction, the lens module includes two or more lens barrels of which some are fixed, and the others are supported by the housing to be linearly movable in approximately the optical axial direction, and lenses are distributed and provided into the at least two lens barrels.