A zoom lens and an imaging apparatus are disclosed. The zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image-plane side, 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, a fourth lens group having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens group having a positive refractive power. During a change of a lens zoom position from a maximum wide angle state to a maximum telephoto state, at least the second lens group moves toward an image side, the third lens group moves toward an object side, and the fourth lens group is fixed in an optical-axis direction. An aperture stop is disposed near the object side of the third lens group. The first to fifth lens groups satisfy predetermined conditions.