A variable magnification optical system consists of, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens group, a second lens group, and a subsequent lens group. The variable magnification optical system satisfies a predetermined conditional expression for a partial dispersion ratio related to F line, C line, and a wavelength of 1970.09 nm, a d-line back focus of the variable magnification optical system at a telephoto end, a back focus in any one wavelength from a wavelength of 1300 nm to a wavelength of 2325.42 nm at the telephoto end, and a d-line focal length of the variable magnification optical system at the telephoto end.