The variable magnification optical system includes, in order from an object side, a positive first lens group disposed at a position closest to the object side, a variable magnification lens group which is disposed at a position closest to the object side among negative lens groups and moves during changing magnification, an intermediate group including at least one lens group, and a positive final lens group which is disposed at a position closest to the image side. The variable magnification lens group, the intermediate group, and the final lens group are continuously disposed. The variable magnification optical system includes at least one LA lens. This LA lens satisfies predetermined conditional expressions relating to a refractive index, an Abbe number, and a partial dispersion ratio, and is located from the variable magnification lens group to the intermediate group.