[Problem] To provide a zoom lens that is advantageous in terms of small size, light weight, and high optical performance, for example. [Solution] A zoom lens having a first lens group (L11) that has a negative refractive power, and a second lens group (L12) that has a positive refractive power, in the stated order from an object side to an image side, wherein the interval between adjacent lens groups changes in zooming, the zoom lens has at least one plastic positive lens having an aspherical surface, and at least one plastic negative lens having an aspherical surface, the first lens group has at least one positive lens, and the second lens group has at least two negative lenses and satisfies a prescribed conditional expression.