We present investigation of optical and photochromic properties as well as of surface quality of thin films of novel methacrylic polymers with 8-hydroxyquinoline azo-dyes in side-chain. Additionally, thermal stability of polymer powders was examined and their glass transition temperature was determined. Optical properties (extinction coefficient and refractive index) were determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) combined with absorbance measurements. Photoresponsive behavior was investigated by determination of photoisomerization rates under irradiation with unpolarized 365 nm light, as well as by conduction of holographic grating inscription experiment. Thin film quality was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. Thermal analysis was performed by thermogravimetric (TG), derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. We found that optical properties as well as photoisomerization rates of investigated polymers are dependent on the substituent in the para position of the phenyl ring. Surface relief grating inscription was successfully generated only for materials with chromophores containing dimethylamino (N(CH₃)₂) and methyl (CH₃) substituents, but all materials exhibited birefringence grating in the bulk. Surface of most thin films was very smooth, but its quality was impaired by neutral (H) as well as carboxyl (COOH) substituent. Thermal stability of copolymers with side-chain chromophores was improved compared to pure poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).