A wide-angle zoom lens is disclosed having only two lens groups, of negative and positive refractive power in order from the object side, respectively, and which provides an image angle at the wide-angle end of at least 100°. Zooming is performed by moving the first lens group and the second lens group along the optical axis. The first lens group is formed of, in sequential order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens element with its convex surface on the object side, two negative lens elements, and a positive lens element. The second lens group is formed of, in sequential order from the object side, two positive lens elements, a biconcave lens element, and two positive lens elements. Various conditions are preferably satisfied so as to minimize aberrations and make the zoom lens compact and easy to manufacture.