A wide-angle optical system (2, 40) having an objective (4, 42) and a mirror system, including a curved mirror (6, 46) for projecting a wide-angle image through the objective (4, 42) onto a detector (10, 44). At least one mirror (8, 46) of the mirror system is arranged movably relative to the objective (4, 42). It is possible to achieve a zoom function, a large elevation range and a selection of an enlarged section from the wide-angle image.