A variable lens includes a first substrate that is light transmissive, a first liquid, a movable film that is in contact with the first liquid and is light transmissive and elastically deformable, a second liquid that is in contact with the movable film, and a second substrate that is light transmissive, the components described above sequentially arranged in the direction in which the beam passes along the optical axis. The first and second liquids differ from each other in terms of refractive index. In the variable lens, the pressures of the first and second liquids are adjusted to cause the movable film to curve in the direction along the optical axis. At least one of the first and second substrates has power as a lens.