[en] Five Ge(Li) detectors of varying sensitive volumes are compared to determine the effect of detector volume on detection characteristics. Emphasis is placed upon low level and environmental sampling where the sample is placed very near or in contact with the detector front housing to optimize the detector response. The photopeak efficiency is the main characteristic used for comparison. Three source geometries and nine photopeaks were used for evaluating the efficiencies. It has been found that increasing volume does not strongly influence the photopeak efficiencies for counting on contact with the detector housing. There appears to be little advantage to purchasing the higher volume 15% and 22% relative efficiency detectors over the 10% relative efficiency detectors for general purpose counting. Estimates of the minimum detectable activities for three radionuclides are included to support the conclusion stated. (author)