A variable focal length lens system includes: a first lens group having a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a negative refractive power; a third lens group having a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power. As the lens position state changes from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, at least each of the lens groups is mobile, the second lens group moves towards the image side and the third lens group moves towards the object side such that the gap between the first and the second lens group increases, and the gap between the second and the third lens group decreases, while the fourth lens group moves in the direction of the optical axis so as to compensate for changes in the position of the image plane which accompany movements of each of the lens group.