To provide a zoom lens having wide field angle coverage, a zooming ratio of 3.5.times. or greater, and a large aperture such that F-number is on the order of F 2.8, a zoom lens is constituted having, in order from the object side thereof, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power; a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power; and, at the image side thereof, one or more lens groups comprising a third lens group G3; wherein an airspace between the aforesaid first lens group G1 and the aforesaid second lens group G2 changes during a change in magnification; wherein the aforesaid second lens group G2 has, in order from the object side thereof, a negative lens component L1 comprising a negative lens presenting a concave surface toward the image side, a negative lens component L2 presenting a concave surface toward the object side, a positive lens component L3, a negative lens component L4, and a positive lens component L5; and wherein the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: 0