A zoom lens has in order from the object side, at least a foremost, first lens group having positive refractive power, a succeeding, second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a rearmost lens group having negative refractive power. The zoom lens meets requirements as defined in formulas regarding a displacement of the first lens group, a focal length of the zoom lens at the wide-angle end, a focal length of the zoom lens at the telephoto end, a focal length of the first lens group, and a focal length of the third lens group.