A zoom lens exhibits a reduction in size, increased magnification, a reduction in variation of angle of view during zooming, and an increased focusing speed, said zoom lens being suitable for an imaging apparatus using a solid-state imaging device such as an interchangeable lens, a digital still camera, a digital video camera, or the like. The zoom lens has, in the lens system, at least: a first negative lens group having negative refractive power; a second negative lens group disposed further towards the image side than the first negative lens group, and which has negative refractive power; and a lens group (A) disposed so as to be adjacent to the image side of the second negative lens group. In the zoom lens, focusing from an infinite distance to a near object is performed by moving only the second negative lens group towards the image side, and prescribed conditions are satisfied.