A telecentric imaging optical system comprises first and third lens systems each having a positive power, and a second lens system having a negative power. In the imaging optical system, the second lens system is disposed between the first and the third lens systems. The imaging optical system satisfies the following inequalities:

f1/2.5
f3/2.5

where f1 is the focal length of the first lens system, f2 is that of the second lens system and f3 is that of the third lens system. A rear focal point of a composite lens system consisting of the first and the second lens systems substantially coincides with the front focal point of the third lens system. The telecentric imaging optical system has a large variable power ratio.