Zoom lens and imaging apparatus incorporating the same

Abstract

The invention relates to a zoom lens and an imaging apparatus incorporating the same. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a zoom lens that is downsized for use with imaging apparatus inclusive of video cameras and digital cameras. The zoom lens comprises a positive first group G, a negative lens group G, a positive third group G, a positive fourth group Gand an aperture stop S. At least the first group Gand the second group Gmove for zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The first group G, the third group Gand the aperture stop S are positioned more on the object side in a state of the telephoto end than in a state of the wide-angle end. The spacing sandwiched between the first group Gand the second group Ggrows wide, the spacing sandwiched between the second group Gand the third group Gbecomes narrows, and the spacing sandwiched between the third group Gand the fourth lens group Ggrows wide. The first group Gcomprises one positive lens and one negative lens, the second group Gcomprises one positive lens and two negative lenses, the third group Gcomprises, in order from the object side, a double-convex positive lens convex on both object- and image-side surfaces and a negative meniscus lens convex on the object-side surface and concave on the image-side surface, and the fourth group Gcomprises on positive lens.