A zoom lens comprising, sequentially from an object side: a first lens group (G1); a second lens group (G2) having a positive refractive power; a third lens group (G3) having a negative refractive power; and a fourth lens group (G4) having a positive refractive power, wherein, when zoom is varied from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, positions of the first lens group (G1) and the fourth lens group (G4) are fixed with respect to an optical axis, wherein the second lens group (G2) comprises, sequentially from the object side, a second (A) lens group (G2A) having a positive refractive power and a second (B) lens group (G2B) having a positive refractive power, and the second (B) lens group (G2B) is moved in the optical axis direction to perform a focusing function from an object that is disposed in a close range to an object that is disposed at infinity, and wherein the third lens group (G3) is shifted in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis to correct image blur characterized in that : the first lens group (G1) has a negative refractive power; and wherein, when zoom is varied from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the second lens group (G2) and the third lens group (G3) are moved in the optical axis direction to change an interval between the first lens group G1) and the second (A) lens group (G2A), an interval between the second (A) lens group (G2A) and the second (B) lens group (G2B), an interval between the second (B) lens group (G2B) and the third lens group (G3), and an interval between the third lens group (G3) and the fourth lens group (G4). a first lens group (G1); a second lens group (G2) having a positive refractive power; a third lens group (G3) having a negative refractive power; and a fourth lens group (G4) having a positive refractive power, wherein, when zoom is varied from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, positions of the first lens group (G1) and the fourth lens group (G4) are fixed with respect to an optical axis, wherein the second lens group (G2) comprises, sequentially from the object side, a second (A) lens group (G2A) having a positive refractive power and a second (B) lens group (G2B) having a positive refractive power, and the second (B) lens group (G2B) is moved in the optical axis direction to perform a focusing function from an object that is disposed in a close range to an object that is disposed at infinity, and wherein the third lens group (G3) is shifted in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis to correct image blur characterized in that : the first lens group (G1) has a negative refractive power; and wherein, when zoom is varied from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the second lens group (G2) and the third lens group (G3) are moved in the optical axis direction to change an interval between the first lens group G1) and the second (A) lens group (G2A), an interval between the second (A) lens group (G2A) and the second (B) lens group (G2B), an interval between the second (B) lens group (G2B) and the third lens group (G3), and an interval between the third lens group (G3) and the fourth lens group (G4). the first lens group (G1) has a negative refractive power; and wherein, when zoom is varied from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the second lens group (G2) and the third lens group (G3) are moved in the optical axis direction to change an interval between the first lens group G1) and the second (A) lens group (G2A), an interval between the second (A) lens group (G2A) and the second (B) lens group (G2B), an interval between the second (B) lens group (G2B) and the third lens group (G3), and an interval between the third lens group (G3) and the fourth lens group (G4). <EOS>