The invention relates to a zoom lens and an imaging apparatus incorporating the same, and more particularly to a zoom lens of small format that lends itself to imaging apparatus inclusive of video cameras and digital cameras. The zoom lens comprises, in order from its object side, a first lens group G1 of positive refracting power, a second lens group G2 of negative refracting power and a third lens group G3 of positive refracting power. Zooming is implemented by changing the space between the respective lens groups. The first lens group G1 comprises one negative lens and one positive lens in order from the object side. The zoom lens satisfies conditions (1) and (2): 5.0