An in situ x-ray diffraction study of Cs2ZnI4 crystals performed in the 4.2-300 K temperature range is reported. The lattice parameter measurements have revealed three anomalies corresponding to phase transitions. The thermal expansion coefficient along the c axis was found to vanish in the region of incommensurate and commensurate modulated phases, 120-96 K (the invar effect). A possible crystallographic model relating modulated atomic displacements to the invar effect is discussed. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-7834(99)02901-9].