With the newly developed triple-layered DO lens and a glass-mold (GMo) aspherical lens, this telephoto zoom lens achieves high imaging quality comparable with L lenses in an ultracompact size, approximately two-thirds that of conventional lenses*1. The DO lens has a three-layer structure suited to zoom optics to resolve the problem of unwanted diffraction flares generated when zooming. While realizing a truly compact size, it compensates for chromatic and spherical aberration and offers the high-resolution and high-contrast imaging performance of an L lens. This lens also maximizes operability with an image stabilization mechanism with approximately 3 shutter speed*2 correction capability, a zoom ring lock that maintains the lens at its shortest length when carried, and a full-time manual focus system. This lens employs environmentally friendly lead-free glass, and with an optimized lens coating and optical design, it minimizes flare and ghosts, which often occur with digital cameras.