An imaging optical system includes: a first lens group having negative power; a second lens group having positive power; a third lens group having negative power; and a fourth lens group having power, which are arranged in this order such that the first lens group is located closest to an object and the fourth lens group is located closest to an optical image. The first lens group includes: a first negative lens; a second negative lens; and a third negative lens which is a meniscus lens having negative power and a convex surface facing the optical image, which are arranged in this order such that the first negative lens is located closest to the object and the third negative lens is located closest to the optical image. During focusing from an infinity focus point toward a close focus point, the third lens group moves along an optical axis.

A zoom optical system consists of a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group which are disposed in order from an object. The rear lens group comprises a last lens group and an F lens group in order from a side closest to an image. Lens groups forming the first lens group, the second lens group, and the rear lens group are configured in such a manner that, upon zooming, the respective lens groups move and a distance between the lens groups adjacent to each other changes. At least a part of the F lens group is configured to move upon focusing. Further, the following conditional expression is satisfied.
0.220<f1/fE<0.280
where f1: a focal length of the first lens group, and fE: a focal length of the last lens group.

A zoom optical system consists of a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group which are disposed in order from an object. The rear lens group comprises a last lens group and an F lens group in order from a side closest to an image. Lens groups forming the first lens group, the second lens group, and the rear lens group are configured in such a manner that, upon zooming, the respective lens groups move and a distance between the lens groups adjacent to each other changes. At least a part of the F lens group is configured to move upon focusing. Further, the following conditional expression is satisfied.

0.220<f1/fE<0.280 where f1: a focal length of the first lens group, and fE: a focal length of the last lens group