PURPOSE: To obtain a compact zoom lens characterized by high magnification and short lens length by constituting the 3rd lens group with three components having positive, negative and positive refractive indexes respectively in the zoom lens constituted of three moving groups consisting of positive, negative and positive lens groups arranged from the object side.

CONSTITUTION: In the zoom lens constituted of three groups consisting of positive, negative and positive lens groups arranged from the object side and executing zooming by changing air gaps between the 1st and 2nd groups and between the 2nd and 3rd groups and the 3rd group is constituted of the 31th positive component, the 32th negative component and the 33th positive component arranged successively from the object side. The 31th component is constituted of at least two positive lenses, the 32th component is constituted of a negative meniscus lens having its projected surface on the side of the object having a divergence junction surface and the 33th component is constituted of at least a positive lens 331 having curvature higher than that of one image surface side. Consequently, the compact zoom lens characterized by high magnification and short lens length is made available.