Image pickup optical system

An image pickup optical system comprising, in order from the object side, a first lens component which comprises a meniscus lens element having a convex surface on the object side and a positive refractive power, a second lens component which comprises a negative lens element, a third lens component which comprises a negative meniscus lens element having a convex surface on the object side and a biconvex lens element, and a fourth lens component which comprises a negative meniscus lens element having a convex surface on the image side. This optical system is configured so as to have a large aperture, reserve a sufficient amount of marginal rays, and correct coma and curvature of field by disposing a stop on the object side of the third lens component and defining a refractive power of a cemented surface of the third lens component within a certain range.