The variable magnification optical system consists of, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens group that has a positive refractive power, a plurality of lens groups, and a final lens group that has a positive refractive power. During changing magnification, a spacing between the first lens group and the lens group closest to the object side among the plurality of lens groups changes, all spacings between adjacent lens groups in the plurality of lens groups change, and a spacing between the lens group closest to the image side and the final lens group among the plurality of lens groups changes.